A 25-year-old Ocala man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after he admitted to intentionally swerving his vehicle and striking a victim who was walking along the side of the road.
On Monday, an MCSO deputy responded to a residence on NW 56th Court in Ocala in reference to a traffic accident. Upon arrival, the deputy observed a jeep that appeared to have struck a pickup truck in the front yard of the residence, according to the MCSO report.
The deputy was informed by another MCSO employee that the driver and sole occupant of the jeep, identified as Hiakiem Malcolm Johnson, had asked to be placed in the back of an MCSO patrol car. Johnson had told MCSO that he feared for his safety since the victim’s family members were at the incident location.
According to the MCSO report, Johnson admitted that he intentionally drove his vehicle toward the male victim in an attempt to scare the victim. Johnson stated that the incident began when he was driving through the neighborhood on his way home and he spotted the victim walking along the side of the road.
Johnson stated that he lives with a relative who had told him that an individual matching the victim’s description had attempted to break into their home. When Johnson saw the victim on the side of the road, he advised that he accelerated at a high rate of speed and swerved the vehicle toward the victim in an attempt to frighten the victim, according to the MCSO report.
Johnson stated that he was unable to stop the vehicle, and it struck the male victim and “launched him into the front yard” of the residence. After colliding with the victim, Johnson stated that his vehicle crashed into the pickup truck.
According to the MCSO report, while Johnson was inside the patrol car, an MCSO employee overheard him say, “I don’t care who I hurt.”
The deputy made contact with Johnson. After being read his Miranda rights, Johnson did not want to answer any questions regarding the incident.
Johnson was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $10,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, according to jail records.