FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — A man has been hospitalized after being run over by his wife following a domestic violence incident in Fresno County.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says shortly after midnight Friday, deputies responded to a home on West Riverdale and South Walnut avenues, just west of Highway 41.
The woman told officials she was trying to escape her husband following a domestic violence incident before calling for help.
Officials say the woman and her husband had a physical argument and she tried to drive away before the situation escalated.
“She got into her car and the man continued to chase after her. He was upset and had a power tool in his hand. He started smashing up her car. The windshield. The tail light,” explained Tony Botti with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
“At some point, she stepped on the accelerator and ended up running over her husband.”
Despite the intensity of the moment, Botti says the woman tried to help her husband by getting in a forklift on their property and picking the car up off of him.
“Which freed him and allowed medics to get to him and eventually fly him to the hospital,” said Botti.
The man suffered serious injuries but will also face justice once he recovers.
“He will be booked in jail in numerous charges related to domestic violence.”
The woman will not be facing any charges.
Botti says Fresno County has the highest rate of domestic violence calls per capita in the state.
He urges anyone in need of help to reach out.
“Speak to someone and get the help. We have organizations in the community like the Marjaree Mason Center that are fantastic. They are available 24/7. These are trained professionals.”
Deputies say no arrests have been made at this point.
If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24/7. In Fresno County, call the Marjaree Mason Center at (559) 233-4357. In all other locations, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
