A man was rushed to hospital in serious condition on the weekend after he was pinned between two cars in an apparent road rage incident in West Vancouver, according to police.
Kam Aeinparast was driving with his wife on Marine Drive Saturday night when he noticed a pickup truck with its high beams on following close behind to him.
The 44-year-old said he waved at the driver to let him know the high beams were on, then pulled over to let the man pass just after the Taylor Way intersection. At that point, he said, the driver of the truck came to a stop, climbed out, approached his car and punched him through the open window.
We were expecting him to go by, and I just noticed someone punched my face, said Aeinparast. He was trying to punch me again. I opened the door and got out to defend myself.
The two scuffled by the side of the road before the other driver went back to his car, said the victim. Aeinparast reached into his car for his phone, planning to take a picture of the mans license plate, when the other driver started his car and drove straight for him, he said. Aeinparast was pinned between the trucks passenger side and his drivers side door.
His back wheel was spinning so hard, (it started to) smoke, he said. (My) back windows blew out; the mirrors blew out; and I dont know how Im alive right now. . . . It was just terrifying.
Aeinparast was taken to Lions Gate Hospital where he required 17 stitches, including five in his left shoulder and another 12 in the small of his back.
He said repeatedly how lucky he felt to be alive after the incident, and didnt understand why anyone would have done this to him.
Honestly, people in North America especially Canada and especially Vancouver we are living in the best city in the world. We should appreciate what we have. We should be thankful for what we have, he said.
Aeinparast is hoping the media attention will convince someone who saw what happened to come forward.
The incident was unusually violent, said Cpl. Jag Johal, spokesman for the West Vancouver police. It was the first time he had heard of someone using a vehicle as a weapon in road rage, he said.
Its very disturbing, said Johal. If the person had died (the other driver) would be looking at murder or manslaughter charges.
Johal recommended anyone involved in a confrontation on the road stay in their car and shut their windows. If theyre followed, they should go somewhere public and phone the police.
Obviously, if a person is aggressive enough to use their horn or swear at you, whats going to happen next when they get out of their vehicle? The next step is assault, he said.
The suspect, a five-foot-five inch Caucasian man, was driving a black Toyota pickup truck built between 2000 and 2007. Investigators said the license plate might read 114, but dont know if its a B.C. plate. The truck likely has damage to its passenger side.
Tips are coming in, and we have to follow up on those, but were still looking for information from the public, said Johal.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 604-925-7300 and quote file number 11-10497.
