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PD: Man struck by vehicle after parking lot altercation in Mesa

PD: Man struck by vehicle after parking lot altercation in Mesa
Posted at 11:26 AM, Mar 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-29 15:39:00-04

A man was struck by a car after an argument in a Mesa parking lot.

Mesa police report that on March 22, a man got into a verbal altercation with 35-year-old Jay Anthony Johnson after Johnson made a remark saying the victim’s girlfriend looked like a man. 

Johnson got into his car, but the victim came upon him and continued the argument. Police say the victim spit on Johnson's car and walked away after Johnson used a racial slur.

Witnesses say they heard Johnson's car rev its engine before moving forward and striking the victim throwing him up on the hood of the car and hitting the windshield. Witnesses say Johnson kept driving away after hitting the victim.

A license plate number was given to police, who tracked down Johnson at his home, near Gilbert Road and Southern Avenue.

Johnson reportedly told police that the victim spit on him and jumped on the hood of the car himself. Police say surveillance video from a business supports the description given by the victim and witnesses.

Johnson, who has a prior conviction for assault, has been charged with aggravated assault and leaving the scene of an injury accident.

Police say the victim’s injuries were minor.