Local News

Actions

Bystander catches hit-and-run suspect

Posted at 5:31 AM, Jul 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-12 21:43:54-04
A bystander was able to stop a man before he could get away from police Monday night.
 

 
Police say a driver struck a 24-year-old man in the crosswalk at Smoke Ranch Road and Maverick Street.
 
The driver failed to stop and continued east. He ditched his vehicle near Smoke Ranch Road and Jones Boulevard.
 
Brandon Francis was in another car and saw what happened. He cut the driver off and got out of his car, gun drawn.
 
Francis says the driver then got out and tripped over the road median.
 
Francis was captured on video holding the driver down on the ground at gunpoint.
 
"I put myself in harm's way but I'm glad I did because I just saved another person from getting hit by that same person if it ever happened," Francis said.
 
Reports say the driver did not seem to be impaired.
 
The pedestrian was transported to the hospital with broken bones and a non-life threatening head injury. The driver was arrested for felony hit-and-run.
 
13 Action News Crime and Safety Expert and retired Lt. Randy Sutton applauded the bystander's courage and good intentions but wouldn't advise others to do the same.
 
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH SUTTON BELOW.