Video from a nearby surveillance camera shows the driver apparently accelerating to target a pedestrian attempting to cross the street in Buena Park, Calif., around 1 p.m. Sunday. The vehicle struck the man, throwing him against the car’s windshield and then into the air, according to police.
Officials released the surveillance video Monday in hopes it would help them find the driver. The car sped away quickly after hitting the pedestrian and neither eyewitnesses nor the surveillance camera were able to detect a license plate number.
"We’re trying to get it [the video] out to the public as quick as we can," Buena Park police Cpl. Andy Luong said today. "We’re hoping the video is compelling enough to get people to come forward with information as to the whereabouts of the vehicle and the suspect."
The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with lacerations and minor injuries but has since been released, Luong said.
"He is cooperating, however, he is not very forthcoming with information," Luong said of the pedestrian, whom police have not identified.
"We don’t know the exact motives right now but we do believe this incident was intentional," he said. "We’re treating it as assault with a deadly weapon."
Police are asking anyone with information to call the Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227.