Hollywood — A South Florida man is facing multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, after police say he brutally attacked another man using both a metal pole and a vehicle, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries and hospitalized in intensive care.
Authorities describe the incident as a sudden escalation of a street dispute that turned into a violent and deliberate assault during the early morning hours.
Dispute Turns Violent on City Street
According to the Hollywood Police Department, the attack occurred just before 8 a.m. Tuesday near Johnson Street and North State Road 7.
Investigators said the 46-year-old victim was walking along the street with a woman when he became involved in an argument with Enrique Agustin Santana, 35.
Police say the verbal dispute quickly escalated into physical violence.
Witnesses Describe Metal Pole Attack
Multiple witnesses told investigators that Santana retrieved what was described as a metal pole and used it to repeatedly strike the victim.
A witness described seeing Santana beat the man with the pole after the confrontation turned physical, police said.
The assault did not stop there.
Tesla Allegedly Used as Weapon
According to an arrest report, after striking the victim, Santana allegedly entered a gray Tesla, accelerated, and drove onto the sidewalk, striking the victim with the vehicle.
One witness told police the victim “flew into the air after being hit and over the Tesla before landing on the pavement.”
The violent impact left the victim critically injured as Santana allegedly fled the scene.
License Plate Leads Police to Suspect
Witnesses played a key role in identifying the suspect.
Police said one witness later spotted the Tesla stopped at a red light and took a photograph of the license plate, which investigators traced to a residence near Young Circle.
The vehicle was registered to someone living at The Lofts at Hollywood Station, located about half a mile west of the attack site.
Officers later located the Tesla parked inside the garage of the apartment building at 2100 Van Buren Street, police said.
Victim Suffers Severe Head Injuries
Detectives responded to Memorial Regional Hospital, where the victim had been transported and admitted to the ICU.
Police said the man was briefly able to speak with detectives before his condition worsened.
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According to investigators, the victim suffered:
- Multiple skull fractures
- Brain bleeds
- Severe head trauma
Officers noted that the victim’s health “took a decline” after the initial interview due to the severity of his injuries.
Arrest Made, Charges Filed
Later that afternoon, police took Santana into custody. Investigators said he matched descriptions provided by witnesses and the victim and noted that he has an extensive criminal history.
Santana now faces several serious charges, including:
- Attempted murder
- Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon
- Leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury
As of Wednesday afternoon, online jail records show Santana is being held without bond at the Broward Main Jail.
Investigation Ongoing
Police say the investigation remains active as detectives continue reviewing evidence, witness statements, and surveillance footage from the area.
Authorities have not released information about what initially sparked the dispute or whether the woman walking with the victim was injured.
Officials emphasized that vehicles used intentionally to strike someone are treated as deadly weapons under Florida law, carrying severe criminal penalties.
Community Concern After Violent Attack
The incident has raised concerns among residents about public safety and violent escalations in everyday disputes.
Police are urging anyone with additional information about the attack to contact investigators as the case moves forward.
What are your thoughts on how courts should handle cases where vehicles are used as weapons? Share your perspective in the comments.
