The man accused of striking and running over a homeless woman with his SUV in a parking lot in Millbrae early Monday was employed at the nearby Safeway at the time and said he purposefully committed the vicious assault because the victim had been “mean” to him, prosecutors say.
Garrett Young, 23, of Millbrae, is in custody and facing charges including attempted murder in connection with the vehicular assault that occurred about 12:21 a.m. at 513 Broadway, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office said.
The victim, identified as 53-year-old Gryselda Joseph, is on life support as a result of the attack, which was captured on video surveillance from nearby businesses, the DA’s Office said.
According to prosecutors, Young was angry at Joseph because “in recent months she had been ‘mean’ to him, yelling at him about the women’s bathroom and other areas of his responsibility.” After clocking out of work early Monday, Young saw Joseph walking on the sidewalk and “accelerated his car towards her, striking her and sending her belongings flying,” prosecutors said. Young allegedly then ran over her three more times, fled the scene and went home, where he lives with his parents.
With help from surveillance video and Safeway staff, San Mateo County Sheriff’s deputies located Young at his home, with his damaged car out front.
Young appeared in court for the first time on the charges Thursday. His attorneys expressed doubt whether Young is competent to stand trial. The court suspended criminal proceeding with plans to appoint two doctors to evaluate Young.
Photo of Young courtesy of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office
