⚠️Trigger Warning ⚠️ Video shows Josh being run over Local news coverage My dear friend Josh was assaulted by a group of men last night, and run over by one of their cars as they fled the scene before authorities arrived. He was meeting me to escort me after I called him to tell him I felt unsafe while waiting for my Uber pickup due to some unsavory individuals in the area. I was on the phone with him when I heard the attack begin down the street from where I was standing. I had picked a populated spot, in front of Haven Bros, a popular food truck in downtown Providence, RI. There were several cars parked further down the street from the truck, with a group of young men and woman outside listening to music and hanging around the cars. When Josh walked by they began hassling him. He held his ground and things escalated lightening fast. He was knocked to the ground by the group in seconds and savagely beaten. I heard through the phone then saw as I ran down the street to him, screaming. The group continued to kick him and stomp on his head as I tried to intervene and screamed at them, begging them to stop. A crowd of bystanders began to form while they continued their assault on him as he lay in the fetal position on the side of the street, covered in blood, his face already misshapen. I continued to scream and beg on his behalf as one of the young men told me continuously he was going to “stab my husband” and many other vulgar things. They were crazed and relentless. It wasn’t until someone announced 911 was on their way, and an angel in the crowd bravely began recording the attack, that the group reluctantly began to pull back and return to their cars. I bent down to try to see what I could do to help Josh as one of the main assailants got in the vehicle behind Josh’s body and sped away, driving his car directly over Josh’s leg without the slightest hesitation. Thankfully, first responders got there within minutes and began attending to him. He was brought to the trauma unit at RI hospital, were they determined he has three broken ribs, and a fractured nose. His face and body are extremely swollen and bruised, his right eye swollen shut, and he required several sets of stitches to his face and leg, but miraculously the bones in his leg are still intact, with severe bruising but no fractures. He was admitted for pain control and observation due to the severity of the beating. He must have had a guardian angel by his side, because the outcome could have been so much worse. I thought I was watching his murder as I stood pleading but helpless to stop the attack. We are both filled with gratitude that he is still here and he will recover from this. He does, however, have a long road ahead, which is what led me to create this. Josh had only just moved to Rhode Island from Vermont. He has been working for a friend’s construction business to cover rent and living expenses as he has been working to obtain a position in his field as a computer programmer. His injuries will put his job hunt on hold for a minimum of weeks, possibly longer, as his face heals. His ribs and leg will prevent him from being able to work intermediately to cover his expenses. He has no health insurance to assist with his hospital bills from the trauma care, or the medications and aftercare he will need. Josh used all of his savings to relocate to the state in June and move into his apartment. Josh is strong in spirit and resourceful. He will continue to fight to heal and make forward progress from this event. However, we can all use support and a hand up from time to time, and any support, whether a few dollars, sending good energy or sharing his story would be met with our humble gratitude.
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