Aug 1, 2008 7:09 pm US/Eastern
VIDEO: Man Uses Car As Weapon On L.I.
Bar Fight Escalates Into Frightening Hit-And-Run Incident
By CAROLYN COSTELLO, CBS 2 HD News
PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBS) ―
There was a terrifying end to a recent bar fight on Long Island. Police say a man used his car as a weapon, ramming it into a group of people.
The whole thing was captured on surveillance video.
CBS 2 HD spoke with one badly injured victim.
Daniel Gonzalez has lost his memory of the violent attack that put him in the hospital. However, he has scars and police have the video to prove it.
Images captured outside the Latino Mix bar on Medford Road in Patchogue shows a white Honda Accord back up and then race toward a crowd of people. One man jumps out of the way, but Gonzalez gets hit and flies onto the hood of the car.
Police said the intentional attack was even worse than it looks.
"He fell off the hood of the car. The driver of the vehicle then backed up and ran over the victim again," said Det. Sgt. Bryan McMenemy of the Suffolk County Police Department.
Gonzalez had to be rushed to the hospital with serious brain injuries. He underwent surgery and through a translator said he still can't work, under doctor's orders.
Police said it all started inside the bar. A fight then spilled into the street. The suspect got into his car and used it as a weapon.
Gonzalez said it was the driver – a man he didn't know – and his friend – seen jumping out of the car's path – who were fighting in the bar. But Gonzalez, trying to defend his friend, was the one who got hit.
By the time the police arrived on the scene the driver was gone. On Friday, more than a month later, they still can't track him down. They believe the suspect is a Hispanic male, about 5-foot-6 to 5-8, in his mid to late 20s, with a medium build.
Police also said the Honda Accord has a partial license plate of "DJZ."
Police are asking anyone with information to call them. They are offering up to $5,000 for helpful information.
People living near the bar where the incident occurred said they've complained before about fights and other problems in the past.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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