A group of attackers unleashed a vicious beatdown on a retired truck driver following a fender bender — before claiming they were “upset” as they apologized while the authorities homed in on them.
Disturbing video captured several people kick Lance Jeffries, 63, before dragging him as “if he was a piece of lint out of the streets” near an intersection in Jennings, Mo., on Saturday afternoon, his daughter Valancia told KMOV-TV.
Jeffries came under assault from a family after going to check on them after he smashed into the back of their car.
One woman, who was seen in the now-viral video, tried to explain why she lashed out following the car crash.
“At that moment, my mindset was, ‘I’m angry, I’m upset, my kids are hurting, my vehicle is gone I wasn’t really thinking, ‘Oh this an elderly man,” Mary Moore told KSDK.
“My actions they’re not OK at all. I am hurt and I am disappointed in myself,” she added.
Moore’s aunt, Tamara Logan – who was also one of the women seen kicking Jeffries while he was on the ground – also issued a groveling apology.
“I apologize for kicking and slapping him,” she said. “I was in the wrong.”
The father of Moore’s kids, Davion Alfred, also said he was “hurt” and “disappointed” by his reaction.
“None of that was justified,” he said.
Jeffries was ambushed moments after he checked on those in the other car, who were returning from a trip to the zoo.
“They literally started screaming at my dad, and they literally jumped on my dad,” Valancia told KSDK.
“Kicking my dad, hitting my dad in the face, kicking him in the pelvis, dragging my dad and everything. They kicked him in the chest.”
The attackers also took his wallet and “robbed” the retiree, according to Valancia.
Jeffries was hospitalized after suffering serious injuries, while the attackers fled before cops arrived.
His family didn’t realize he had been admitted until 10 p.m. Saturday – some five hours after the frenzied beatdown
“His eyes are swollen shut,” Valancia said, describing her dad’s condition.
“He has neck injuries, also. His jaw is swollen. He has blood clots in his leg and also in his stomach where he was kicked.
“So now he has to stay in the hospital so he can get surgery, and he’s in a lot of pain. He’s traumatized, he’s hurt, and he’s scared.”
Valancia said Jeffries was “brutally attacked” and she is now calling for accountability.
“We’re heartbroken. We’re devastated. We want justice. We need justice today,” she said.
Moore, Logan, and Alfred were held at the St. Louis County Jail on Wednesday but have not yet been charged. Another relative was also being held, according to reports.
Despite their apology, prosecutors have vowed to “fully prosecute those responsible” following a “thorough” investigation.
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