A Webster man was arrested after allegedly battering a friend at Budget Inn and stealing his car just to crash it a few minutes later.
A deputy responded to Budget Inn, located on State Road 44 in Wildwood, regarding a disturbance involving 32-year-old Garrett Lee Johnson around 10 p.m. Thursday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, the deputy spoke to the male victim who advised that he and Johnson went to the hotel so Johnson could meet with an unknown friend. The victim waited inside his black Chevy Spark in the parking lot while Johnson spoke to the friend. When Johnson came back to the vehicle, he seemed agitated and hit the victim in the face with his hands, the report said.
The victim fought back, to which Johnson went through the back door of the vehicle to hit him with his hands again. The victim then got out and walked away to call 911. Johnson soon left with his vehicle since he had the keys. However, he did not have permission to take it, the report said.
The victim sustained redness and slight swelling under and around his right eye. He also had red, blotchy markings on his neck stretching onto his chest. These injuries were consistent with his statement, the report said.
A few minutes later, dispatch got a call about a hit-and-run on Interstate 75, Miler Marker 328, just south of the inn. It was soon discovered the vehicle in the accident belonged to the victim. Deputies responded and found Johnson within the crashed stolen vehicle. Witnesses stated he fled from the vehicle immediately after the crash, the report said.
Johnson was arrested on charges of DUI (third violation within 10 years), driving while license suspended, hit-and-run, grand theft of motor vehicle and battery (second or subsequent offense). He was transported to the Sumter County Detention Center with bond set at $23,500.