UPDATE - 8:30 p.m.: Winter Haven detectives were able to positively identify Gregory Krizsan, 24, as the man who struck the 90-year-old man, causing him to fall and suffer severe injuries to his head and face.

Krizsan was arrested at his home around 4:30 p.m. on Friday without incident. He was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with Aggravated Battery on a Person Over the Age of 65.

 

 

Winter Haven Police are investigating a minor collision in a Publix parking lot that they say escalated into assault. 

  • Minor collision in Publix parking lot escalates into assault, cops say
  • Man in Kia got out, struck 90-year-old driver, according to police
  • Police looking for witnesses or video recordings of incident

The incident occurred at about 4:50 p.m. Wednesday.

Police said a 90-year-old man was backing his vehicle out of a parking space at the Publix at 1395 6th Street NW in Winter Haven, when a black Kia drove down the same aisle in the wrong direction. According to the 90-year-old man, the aisle appeared to be clear for him to back out, but the two vehicles collided.

Although there was minor damage, police said the two occupants of the Kia got out and started to curse and yell at the older man, who also got out of his vehicle. Police said the Kia occupants caused a disturbance, and that people and other vehicles passed by the incident.

Police said bystanders watched as the arguing continued for six minutes before one of the occupants of the Kia struck the 90-year-old man, causing him to land on the pavement face-first and striking his head. Police said the force of the fall caused the victim to briefly lose consciousness. 

According to the report, both Kia occupants got back in the vehicle and began to leave when a witness tried to stop them.

That person, Hiram Davis, was dragged a short distance before falling to the ground as the Kia sped off. Davis was not injured.

"Everybody was just standing back just looking, just looking," Davis said in a phone interview with Bay News 9. "That's an old guy. What if it was your mom or your dad?"

The 90-year-old man was taken to Winter Haven Hospital for injuries, including a severe cut to his head, facial scrapes and scrapes and bruises to his hands and arms. Officials said the man's status has improved, and his injuries are not life-threatening. 

In video released by police, the Kia is seen driving the wrong way and driving off, throwing a person to the ground.

Police Chief Charlie Bird urged the culprits to turn themselves in. "You know who you are that did this, and we're going to get you," he said. "And if you want to finally do something that is manly and not cowardice then just turn yourself in."

Anyone who may have witnessed or recorded the incident is asked to call Winter Haven Police at 863-401-2256.