A Florida man intentionally hit a bicyclist with his car before driving away in a Taco Bell parking lot. The suspect, identified as Tyler Sandor, tried to flee the scene, but police caught up with him anyway.
The 20-year-old was behind the wheel when he allegedly struck a bicyclist in the area of a Taco Bell on Hammock Ridge Road Sunday, Sept. 6. Sandor left the scene after he hit the victim’s bike, leaving the bike rider with minor injuries.
The Clermont Police Department investigated the incident with help from the Mascotte Police Department and found Sandor in Mascotte, Florida. He was arrested at 5:59 a.m. and booked into the Lake County Jail a few hours later.
Sandor is facing a second-degree felony charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and a second-degree misdemeanor charge for leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage. His booking record lists a total bond of $20,000.
It Was an Intentional Hit-And-Run
Local media reported that the incident occurred in a Taco Bell parking lot, after which he fled. It was also stated by Clermont police that Sandor knew the victim, but the extent of their relationship is unknown.
Authorities have not fully detailed what led to Sandor hitting the bicyclist. What is known is that investigators believed the vehicle was used as the weapon in the alleged attack.
Sandor destroyed the bike and fled. That turned the incident into both an aggravated battery investigation and a hit-and-run case.
$20,000 Bond and a September Court Date
The charges against Sandor come with a hefty price tag. The aggravated battery charge carries a $10,000 bond, and the hit-and-run charge carries another $10,000, for a total of $20,000.
The booking record shows that none of the bonds have been paid as of writing this. Sandor’s court date is scheduled for September 23 at 8 a.m. in Lake County.
Online Reactions Were One-Sided
People took to the comments section to voice their excitement that someone like this was behind bars. Most people thanked the police for bringing him in and hoped that his driver’s license would be revoked.
For now, the case is only an allegation, and Sandor is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. But using a car to ram a bicyclist that you supposedly have a history with is not a smart way to settle whatever beef you have with them.