A man running near Otay Ranch Mall was attacked Saturday by the driver of an SUV, Chula Vista police said. The driver has not been arrested.
Scott Witcher, 24, was exercising around 3 p.m. when he was nearly struck by the SUV in an intersection on Birch Road, police confirmed.
Witcher said he threw his hands up and flipped off the driver.
The SUV driver got out and threw two punches, Witcher said. The man then drove away from the scene.
Witcher was struck in the face and had to get a dozen stitches.
He said he runs every day and has never had anyone jump out of a car and assault him.
"I was stunned," he said.
Local
"A 3,000-pound SUV versus a 200-pound man," he added. "It's not even a competition."
Police took a simple battery report on the incident and the suspect faces misdemeanor charges.
The suspect is described as a darker-skinned man, in his 30s, about 6-foot and weighing 250 lbs. The SUV is believed to be an Acura.
Now, Witcher wants to personally thank the passersby who stopped to help.
"In today's society, you don't expect everyone to stop and help when something like that happens," Witcher told NBC 7 Sunday. 'Thank you to you guys if I can get in contact with you that'd be great. I'd like to thank you in person."
