Local

Woman sees friend hit by car as he ran from police

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — A Jacksonville man is being treated for critical injuries after he was hit by a van in Neptune Beach, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. His friend says she witnessed him get hit.

This incident began after Genevieve Myatt was stopped by Neptune Beach Police for speeding Thursday evening. She was pulled over on the side of Atlantic Boulevard and Florida Boulevard.

Myatt said her friend, 50-year-old Thomas Bennett, got out of her car and became upset with the officer. She told Action News Jax exclusively that watched the confrontation transpire from the driver’s seat.

“When the police officer asked him to get down, he just didn’t comply,” Myatt said. “He wasn’t listening to what they were asking him to do.”

Police said Bennett became aggressive toward the officer and ripped his own shirt off. An officer shocked him with a stun gun, but they said it did not have much effect on Bennett.

The officer then pulled out his baton but didn’t use it because Bennett darted across Atlantic Boulevard. Myatt then watched her friend get hit by an oncoming minivan.

“Once I saw that he got hit, I immediately froze. I was terrified, I was upset,” Myatt said.

FHP began investigating the crash. They said Bennett suffered critical injuries and was taken to Memorial Hospital.

Action News Jax talked to the hospital Friday morning and learned that he was still being treated in the trauma center.

“I’m praying my friend is okay,” Myatt said. “I’m hoping he’s okay.”

Action News Jax asked Myatt why she believes Bennett became upset with police. She said her friend is “protective” over her and has been “going through a lot.”

Action News Jax reached out to police to learn if Bennett could face charges, and if the officer followed protocol during this traffic stop.