FORT GREENE — A driver was arrested after hitting a FreshDirect employee, continuing to drive with the victim on the hood of his van, and then beating him with a rubber mallet Sunday, according to police and video footage.
Damian Bailey, 34, hit a 23-year-old man who was on foot outside 98 Flatbush Ave., near the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and then tried to flee — even as the victim clung to his van, police said. The victim was a driver for FreshDirect, the food delivery company confirmed to DNAinfo New York.
Then Bailey stopped in the middle of the street, got out of his van and hit the victim five times with a rubber mallet, causing unspecified injuries, police said.
Video taken by a passenger in a passing Uber during the noon attack and first reported on Gothamist shows the victim screaming at and kicking his assailant in defense. The victim then appears to hobble after his attacker, only to be hit again by the mallet before the Uber the witness was in drives off.
The victim, who FreshDirect identified only as Kevin, is still in the hospital being treated for his injuries, according to a statement from the company.
“Our hearts go out to Kevin and his loved ones," FreshDirect said. "Our primary concern is always the safety of our employees and we were saddened to hear about this violent and senseless crime."
Bailey, who lives in Jamaica, Queens, was charged with two counts of assault, as well as criminal possession of a weapon and menacing, according to the NYPD.
Records show a temporary order of protection was issued against him. He was released on $5,000 bond Monday.
Bailey's next appearance in court for this case is scheduled for March 25, according to records. He is also facing other legal action including a summons for driving with a suspended or revoked license and a summons for accepting hails without a license for a Feb. 18 incident. He is due back in court for that case on April 19, records show.
There was no explanation for what sparked the incident. While FreshDirect confirmed that the video showed the attack, the NYPD did not comment on it.
