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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joe Golder, Agency: Newsflash
This is the viral incident when a BMW driver intentionally runs over a luxury car rental agent – before reversing into him – who was unhappy that he had hit his parked Ferrari in the heart of Paris.
The viral footage, with combined views of over half a million since yesterday, shows the motorist running over the man before hitting him again in reverse in broad daylight in front of witnesses on the popular Champs Elysees.
The shocking footage was filmed on the corner of the Champs Elysees and Avenue George V in Paris yesterday (31st May). It was posted online yesterday evening and has already notched up over 124,000 views. Another video showing the police officers smashing the motorist’s car window before arresting him has notched up over 350,000 views.
The first images show a car speed forwards and hit a pedestrian, who is run over. The car then stops before reversing, dealing the victim a glancing blow as he just manages to get out of the way in time.
The victim, visibly injured, scrambles onto the pavement, taking cover behind some cars before collapsing on the ground as concerned bystanders come to his aid.
Meanwhile, people appear to be attempting to stop the motorist from fleeing the scene and as the footage ends, police officers appear to be attempting to remove the motorist from the vehicle.
According to the police, the motorist and the victim had been arguing, although it is unclear what the argument was about. But according to local media outlet Actu17, the victim works for a luxury vehicle rental agency and went to speak to the motorist after he hit a parked Ferrari in the street, as some of the footage appears to show.
But before the victim could speak to the driver, the BMW darts backwards before stopping. The victim, visibly irritated, then kicks the front bumper of the BMW. Suddenly, the car speeds forwards and runs him over.
Witnesses can be heard saying that the police are on the scene and sure enough, as the first piece of footage ends, police officers appear to be attempting to arrest the motorist.
Actu17 reports that the police officers drew their firearms in order to make the motorist get out of the car.
Another piece of footage, filmed from a different angle (and available here https://twitter.com/BooskaTns/status/1399356396769058820), shows at least three police officers attempting to arrest the suspect. One of the police officers smashes the front left car window before opening the door.
He and three of his colleagues then haul the barefoot motorist out of the vehicle.
The suspect, name not disclosed but who according to French newspaper Le Parisien is 35, was arrested and taken to the police station in the 8th arrondissement, where he was tested for drugs. The results are pending.
The victim, unnamed, but who is reportedly 24 years old, was taken to hospital where he was treated in the emergency ward.
He suffered injuries to his hand and ankle, according to the police, who seized CCTV footage of the area.
The police investigation is ongoing.
