JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Tracy Isbell made his first appearance in court Thursday afternoon. He was arrested, authorities say, with the help of two good Samaritans.
"Certainly the driver could have gotten away," said Sgt. Dylan Bryan with the Florida Highway Patrol.
About 8 p.m. Wednesday, the FHP says Isbell lost control of his truck at the corner of Southside and Atlantic Boulevards. They say he plowed down a sign, then hit a man walking along the sidewalk. And when Isbell tried to make a run for it, the FHP says two witnesses made sure he didn't get far.
"They stopped the suspect vehicle and held the suspect there at gunpoint until the authorities from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrived," said Sgt. Bryan.
Other drivers who applauded the bravery of the witnesses, say they probably would have handled the situation differently.
Renee Carter told Action News she probably wouldn't have gotten out of her car, but she would have followed him.
"As for following him, I could see that. And maybe taking down his tag number and calling the police while you're following him," she said.
They say the witnesses took a chance by pulling out a gun and getting involved. But without them, authorities say Isbell could have gotten away with a serious crime.
Action News spoke to a local attorney who told us what those two good Samaritans did was perfectly legal, however, not advisable. If something had gone wrong, they could potentially be held responsible.
Right now, Isbell, 26, is only charged with marijuana possession. More charges are pending. He is being held in the Duval County Jail.
The victim has been identified as Joseph Bastian, 30. He is hospitalized at Shands Jacksonville in serious condition.
