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Hit-and-run suspect 'sorry' for running down vet

Posted at 5:50 PM, Apr 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-19 01:22:22-04

The man accused of a hit and run that put a Chandler Army veteran in the hospital is speaking out for the first time.

From jail, 18-year-old Cody Gibson says he's sorry, but is he?

"I would tell him I'm sorry. Yeah, I didn't mean to hurt him. He shouldn't have got in our business though," Gibson said. 

April 7, several people called 911 saying they saw Gibson pulling a woman by the hair in a parking lot near Riggs and McQueen Roads in Chandler. 

That's when Steven Richardson stepped in to help the woman.

"He's the one that tried to make me stop. What the hell am I supposed to do? Stay there?" Gibson asked.

Richardson told ABC15 that Gibson hit him and he bounced off the car. His injuries were severe, including a fractured skull.

"I mean, he could've jumped out the way. He had time, but he didn't want to," Gibson said.

After hitting Richardson, Gibson said he thought about stopping but didn't because he knew he'd be in trouble.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for him to get hurt. I didn't mean for anybody to get hurt. He took me away from my family like I took him away from his family a little bit in the hospital," Gibson said. 

"I don't really accept that as an apology," said Samantha Richardson, the victim's wife. "I think he's just trying to not make it sound quite as bad as it is."

Gibson has been charged with hit and run and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Richardson is now out of the hospital, at home. His wife says he's still in a lot of pain and doesn't know how long it will take him to recover.

Gibson is expected to be back in court April 21.