VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A driver intentionally ran over a man who confronted him during a road-rage dispute Tuesday evening then fled from deputies, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the victim and 26-year-old Dominque Garvin were traveling on Saxon Boulevard around 6 p.m. when Garvin nearly rear-ended the victim’s vehicle then repeatedly flashed his high beams.
The victim said he slowed down and got into a different lane so Garvin could pass in his SUV and as he did so, Garvin threw something at his vehicle, records show.
Deputies said the victim followed Garvin to the next red light then got out of his vehicle to confront him. News 6 spoke to the victim who did not to be identified.
“I got out of the car and I walked over, got in front of his car and told him he wasn’t going anywhere," he said. “He almost ran me off the road and he threw something at my car.”
During the confrontation, Garvin put his foot on the gas pedal and struck the victim, according to the affidavit.
When asked about his decision-making, the victim admitted he probably could have handled the situation differently.
“My wife yelled at me, she said I could have gotten killed," he said. "But at the moment he almost ran me off the road, he threw something and hit the car. I couldn’t get his license plate, so I figured the next thing was stop him from going anywhere and wait for a police officer to show up.”
Deputies said Garvin drove away from the scene without helping the victim and continued speeding through the area as a deputy who witnessed the crime followed him with his lights and siren activated.
Garvin drove at speeds of 60 to 70 mph as patrol vehicles followed him, records show. Deputies said he came to a stop at 9th Street and Millenbeck Drive and placed his hands outside the window, according to the report.
Authorities said Garvin admitted to hitting the man because he was afraid of him, even though he was unarmed, and he didn’t stop for deputies because he was driving without a license.
A plastic jar containing 2.9 grams of marijuana was found in Garvin’s vehicle, according to authorities.
Deputies said the victim suffered minor injuries, including a cut on his wrist and redness to his knee, but he did not require medical treatment.
Garvin was arrested on charges of aggravated battery, fleeing and eluding and reckless driving.