A Clearwater man is in the hospital after running into traffic on Tampa Road Wednesday night.
- Man critically injured after running into traffic on Tampa Rd.
- Man was acting erratically at Applebees before running in the road
- Juan Rivera-Aguilar suffered life-threatening injuries
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office was called out to the Applebees Neighborhood Grill on Tampa Road in Oldsmar around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Deputies were told a man was acting erratically and had told management at the restaurant to call the police.
Officials said before deputies arrived, the man, identified as Juan Rivera-Aguilar, 28, ran out of the restaurant and into traffic on Tampa Road.
Witnesses said Rivera-Aguilar began to stop traffic by beating on the hoods of several vehicles for no reason. They also said he was deliberately jumping in front of vehicles.
A Toyota Highlander was traveling eastbound on Tampa Road at the time. The driver, Sheldon Power, 33, did not see Rivera-Aguilar standing in the road when he hit him, officials said.
Rivera-Aguilar was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Deputies said Power showed no sign of impairment and speed was not a factor in the crash.
The sheriff's office is still investigating the incident.