Two arrests have been made Saturday in the brutal attack of a Detroit man who accidentally hit a young boy with his car.
Steve Utash immediately got out of his vehicle to check on 10-year-old David Harris who was hit after running into the street. That's when a mob swarmed Utash, beat him unconscious and robbed him. (Via WXYZ)
The Detroit Free Press reports 54-year-old Utash, pleaded with the attackers and apologized for striking Harris, who suffered from minor, non life-threatening injuries.
Police believe the 16- and 17-year-old suspects arrested were two of 10 to 12 people who were involved in the attack, which was captured on surveillance footage from a nearby gas station. (Via Detroit Free Press)
The incident outraged many nationwide. Some have even questioned whether it was a targeted hate crime.
WWJ-TV reports police did not say whether they believe it is a hate crime, but Utash's son thinks skin color might have played a role — saying, "As far as a hate crime, it might be."
UTASH: "He was saying, 'Sorry, sorry,' but it wasn't good enough for the people that were there."
EMERICK: "The need to pull him away and beat him like that, I'll never understand the motive." (Via WXYZ)
In a statement, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan calls the attack "senseless vigilante" and "is not the essence of who we are as Detroiters." (Via WXYZ)
Utash, who doesn't have health insurance, remains in a medically-induced coma. A GoFundMe page raised more than $70,000 as of Saturday to help fund his medical bills.
