BCSO: Man punched, strangled and left hanging from hood of his cousin's SUV going 30-45 mph

Lori Steineck, The News Herald
·2 min read

PANAMA CITY BEACH — A dispute between cousins over payment for contracting work resulted in one clinging to the hood of the other's vehicle and then a foot pursuit.

Bay County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Caleb W. Segars, 27, of Youngstown, at the home he shared with his 22-year-old cousin Wednesday, according to Bay County Jail records.

Segars was jailed on charges of aggravated battery (strangulation) with great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (motor vehicle) and aggravated battery, court records show.

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According to jail records, Segars and his cousin had just completed contracting work at a bar on Thomas Drive about 7 p.m. Wednesday when the dispute over payment for the work started. Segars was driving his gray 2017 Ford Explorer with the victim in the passenger seat.

The younger man told deputies later that Segars punched him twice in the face, stopped the sport utility vehicle in the median in "heavy traffic" on Thomas Drive, got out of the vehicle and grabbed him by the throat. The younger man reportedly got out of the vehicle and was standing in front of it trying to dial 911 when Segars pulled forward, causing the victim to grab the hood.

The victim told investigators that Segars sped up, moving 30-45 mph while trying to shake him from the hood and then slammed on the brakes a couple times before pulling into a business in the 400 block of Thomas Drive.

At that point, the victim dropped from the hood and ran away with Segars chasing him on foot, according to the reports.

Deputies' reports noted that the victim had bruises to his face and throat and contusions and abrasions.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay man punched, strangled, left hanging from hood of cousin's SUV