E-Scooter Rider Blinded In An Eye By Potato Flung Out Of Car; 2 Men Charged
Two men in Australia were charged after a potato they threw from their car at an e-scooter rider hit him in the face, causing him to lose an eye.
The incident happened on May 20 when the 28-year-old man was riding a rental e-scooter along the footpath on West Coast Drive near Mettams Pool in Perth.
The potato reportedly hit him straight in the eye, as a result of which the man suffered serious facial injuries, and a fractured arm, following which he was rushed to a hospital, Perth Now reported.
The police said the potato was hurled with so much force that it might have felt like it was fired. The victim sustained an injury so severe that he had to have one eye surgically removed.
Mirrabooka detectives charged two men, aged 19 and 20 respectively, in connection with the incident. The former was charged with grievous bodily harm, acts likely to endanger the life, health, or safety of any person, and possession of a prohibited weapon, whilst the latter was facing the same charges apart from an additional three counts of common assault, 9 News reported.
The accused are scheduled to appear in court Friday.
Inspector Brett Baddock from Western Australia Police said the act was planned and not a random one.
"It would appear those involved thought it would be fun to use potatoes as projectiles aimed at people minding their own business and enjoying our coastal strip," he told 9 News. "This so-called fun has ended in tragedy, with the victim losing one eye."
"There are very serious consequences associated with the charges that have resulted from this investigation," Inspector Baddock told Perth Now. "Detectives will not stop until they have found all those responsible."
The police used CCTV footage, mobile phone data, and number plates to track down the two men who were behind the mindless act.
In October, a Wisconsin woman claimed she ended up with a damaged eye after a restaurant manager threw a drink in her face. Mariah Luckette was complaining about a meal at Crab Du Jour in Greenfield to its location manager, Jason Diong, when the latter picked up her glass containing an alcoholic beverage and splashed it on her face. The accused was later arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
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