Florida Driver Accused of Running Over Stranger After Fight With Mother, Police Say

Orlando, FL — What began as a heated family argument spiraled into violence that shocked an entire neighborhood. Police say a 24-year-old Florida man, angry after a fight with his mother, deliberately ran over a random pedestrian in what investigators are calling an “unprovoked and senseless act of rage.”

The incident occurred late Saturday evening in a suburban Orlando neighborhood, where residents enjoying a quiet weekend suddenly found themselves witnesses to chaos. According to the Orlando Police Department, the suspect, identified as Dylan Harper, had been arguing with his mother at their home just blocks away. After storming out of the house, Harper allegedly got into his silver Honda Civic, sped through residential streets, and aimed his car at a 36-year-old man walking home from a convenience store.

Witnesses described the horrifying scene. “I heard tires screeching and thought it was just kids racing,” said neighbor Angela Flores, who lives near the intersection where the crash occurred. “Then I saw the car jump the curb and hit a man on the sidewalk. He didn’t even have a chance to move.”

The victim, later identified as Marcus Allen, was thrown several feet into a grassy yard. Bystanders rushed to his aid, calling 911 as Harper sped away. Paramedics transported Allen to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

Police quickly located Harper less than an hour later after his vehicle was spotted with front-end damage near a gas station. Officers say Harper resisted arrest, shouting incoherently and blaming his mother for the incident. “This was not a traffic accident,” Orlando Police Chief Robert Delgado told reporters. “This was an intentional act of violence against an innocent man.”

Investigators say Harper admitted during questioning that he had gotten into a heated argument with his mother over finances. In a fit of anger, he told detectives he “needed to hit something” and chose to drive aggressively through the neighborhood. When he saw Allen, a complete stranger, he allegedly veered onto the sidewalk and struck him.

“This case is disturbing not just because of the violence, but because of how random it was,” said Chief Delgado. “A man walking home, minding his own business, became the target of another person’s anger. It could have been anyone out there.”

The charges against Harper are serious: attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and leaving the scene of a crash with injury. He is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail. If convicted, he could face decades in prison.

Neighbors say the Harper family had lived in the area for several years and had occasional run-ins with police over domestic disputes. “We always heard yelling from that house,” said neighbor Kevin Matthews. “But no one thought it would come to something like this. It’s terrifying.”

For the victim’s family, the news has been devastating. Allen, a warehouse worker and father of two, was simply walking home after buying snacks for his children when he was struck. His wife, Denise Allen, spoke briefly outside the hospital, fighting back tears. “He didn’t deserve this,” she said. “He was just coming home to us. Now my kids are asking why their daddy isn’t here. All because someone couldn’t control their temper.”

The case has sparked anger across Orlando, with residents demanding accountability and asking how such violence could erupt from a domestic argument. Community activist Carla Ruiz, who has worked on campaigns against reckless driving, said the incident highlights deeper issues. “This is about more than one act,” Ruiz said. “It’s about unchecked anger, untreated mental health issues, and how easily a car can become a weapon. The victim could have been a child, a senior citizen, anyone.”

Local officials echoed the concern. City Councilmember James Holloway announced plans to review neighborhood safety measures, including speed bumps and traffic cameras, in the wake of the attack. “We cannot prevent every crime, but we can make it harder for reckless drivers to turn our streets into danger zones,” Holloway said.

Meanwhile, Allen’s coworkers at the distribution warehouse where he has worked for over a decade have organized a fundraiser to help his family cover medical expenses. “Marcus is one of the hardest-working guys we know,” said coworker Jeremy Lawson. “He shows up early, stays late, and always has a smile. Now it’s our turn to show up for him.”

At a vigil held Monday evening near the site of the crash, dozens of neighbors gathered with candles and signs calling for justice. Some left flowers on the grass where Allen was struck, while others held handwritten notes reading “Heal Fast, Marcus” and “Stop the Violence.”

“We are here to support Marcus and his family,” said Pastor Elijah Moore, who led the vigil. “And we are here to remind ourselves that anger does not have to lead to hate. We can choose compassion, even when the world feels cruel.”

Experts warn that random acts of violence like this often leave communities deeply unsettled. “The unpredictability is what terrifies people,” said Dr. Laura Chen, a psychologist at the University of Central Florida. “If someone can be attacked for no reason other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time, it erodes our sense of safety.”

For now, Marcus Allen remains in the hospital, facing a long recovery. Doctors say he has multiple fractures and internal injuries but is expected to survive. His wife says the family is clinging to hope. “He’s strong,” Denise Allen said. “He’s a fighter. We just want him home again.”

As for Harper, he made his first court appearance on Monday, standing before a judge with shackled wrists and a blank expression. Prosecutors argued he poses a danger to the community, while his public defender requested a psychological evaluation. The judge denied bond and set a preliminary hearing for later this month.

“This was a cruel, deliberate act of rage,” Prosecutor Elaine Thompson told the court. “The community deserves protection from this defendant.”

The case will likely take months to move through the courts, but its impact has already been felt far beyond the courtroom. For the Allen family, life has been irrevocably changed. For the neighborhood, the echo of screeching tires and a body hitting the pavement lingers as a reminder of how quickly peace can turn to terror.