Teens Arrested in Road Rage Attack

A man was run over with his own car after the scuffle on a Hemet street

Two teens suspected in a road rage confrontation that left a victim injured in Hemet surrendered to authorities Thursday and were arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide and conspiracy.

The victim, a 53-year-old man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries when he was struck by his own vehicle July 31 in the 1400 block of South Gilbert Street, according to Hemet police. Witness video of the attack depicted two attackers, one of them arguing with the victim and the other driving away in the victim's vehicle at a high rate of speed, police said.

The fight escalated when the attackers threw a soda can at Tracy Leavitt's car, so he stopped to confront them on Gilbert Street, his wife Sabine Leavitt said. The video also showed Leavitt grab a skateboard and break the driver's side window of their truck.

Leavitt then scuffled with one of the men before the other got into Leavitt's car and ran him down, leaving Leavitt bloodied and severely injured on the ground.

The video was circulated through news and social media, generating tips as to the attackers' identities, police said.

On Tuesday, investigators arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the attack. He was taken into custody during a traffic stop in the 100 block of North Buena Vista Street, police said. The teen was processed at the Hemet police station before being taken to Riverside County Juvenile Hall, police said. Investigators later arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the crime after he surrendered to police.

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