A 74-year-old cyclist was injured last Tuesday morning after an unprovoked shove on a bike trail in Hastings, leading to the arrest of a local man on a felony charge, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the incident occurred around 10:44 a.m. on Jan. 6 along the Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Bike Trail.
The victim was riding northbound on the right side of the paved path when he encountered a man walking southbound on the far-left side.
As the two approached each other, authorities said the pedestrian suddenly stepped into the cyclist’s path and forcefully shoved him off his bicycle.
Because the victim’s feet were locked into the pedals, he was unable to break his fall and suffered minor injuries, court papers state. He has swelling above his ear and abrasions.
He flagged down a passing motorist and asked them to call 911.
The fall also caused a crack in his bicycle helmet, deputies reported.
The suspect continued walking away from the scene after the man’s fall “with total disregard for the injuries,” the arrest report notes.
Deputies located the suspect a short distance away and placed him in custody.
The victim, who said he had never seen the man before, identified him at the scene and said he wanted to press charges.
The defendant was arrested and charged with felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older.
Deputies noted that the suspect made statements about “informants coming after him” and had to keep them at bay.
