Beaten Trucker Recounts Ordeal

Two Suspects Facing Charges in Attack

POSTED: 10:52 am EDT July 14, 2005

UPDATED: 12:24 pm EDT July 14, 2005

WOODSTOCK -- The truck driver who was beaten last week by a mob of rowdy northwest Atlanta youth said his life may never be the same following an attack that almost cost him his life.

Rafael Diaz

Rafael Diaz, 29, has been released from Grady Memorial Hospital and is recovering at his Woodstock home following the early-morning July 5 attack on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, formerly known as Bankhead Highway.


	More Resources VIDEO: Jovita Moore reports-Victim Speaks VIDEO: Tiffani Reynolds reports-Wreck ARCHIVE Teen Surrenders in Attack on Driver ARCHIVE Truck Flips Trying to Avoid Fireworks ARCHIVE

He is now facing the prospect of rebuilding a life that was shattered by a violent attack.

"My livelihood has been taken away from me," he said during an interview with Channel 2 Action News. "I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to drive for over 10 years."

Two suspects have been charged in connection with the attack on Diaz.

Anthony Boyd Jr. has been charged with reckless conduct in connection with the attack. He is currently free on bond. A 16-year-old unidentified teen has also surrendered in the case. One of the suspects was set to appear in court Thursday for a hearing.

Police have said Diaz's truck was traveling on the road shortly after 2 a.m. when he passed a group of eight to 11 juveniles on the side of the road. When he drove by, one of them fired a bottle rocket into the cab of his truck, hitting him in the head.

The truck, which was carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel, struck a fire hydrant, went off the road and down an embankment into a parking lot before flipping over.

The driver flipped while trying to avoid people who were said to be throwing rocks.

Diaz said he was then attacked by the mob.

"They kicked in that windshield (and) drugged me out of that tractor like savages," he recalled. "The truck felt like it was entering a hail storm (hit by) all kinds of rocks."

The city has reportedly stepped up police presence in the neighborhood. Other motorists had complained of being pelted by rocks and other objects as they drove down the northwest Atlanta street, which is home to the Bankhead Courts public housing development.

Diaz underwent surgery for several hours and he bears the mark of the ordeal with a shaved head and a line of stitches down his face. His right eye is swollen shut and it is unclear if he will ever use it again.

Diaz said an apology would be a big step forward in the healing process.

"I just want the people responsible ... to just admit what they did and just apologize," he said. "That's all I want."

Channel 2 Action News reporter Jovita Moore contributed to this report.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.