Gregory Hoole, 44, faces charges after allegedly driving his SUV into an 11-year-old riding an e-bike in Windermere, Florida. The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon when Hoole ran a stop sign and struck the boy.
Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a crash in the neighborhood. The boy told police that Hoole drove into the opposite lane toward him, hitting his leg and the e-bike. The boy began recording the event on his iPhone, but Hoole allegedly grabbed the phone and smashed it.
Hoole left the scene and called 911 from his home, reporting a strong-arm robbery and claiming the boy and two other juveniles had been harassing his family. He linked the dispute to an earlier incident involving fireworks on July 4. Surveillance footage from a neighbor captured Hoole driving toward the boy before stopping abruptly.
Hoole was charged with aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, child abuse, and criminal mischief. During a court appearance on Thursday, his attorney argued there was no damage to either vehicle. A judge set bond at $7,650 and ordered Hoole to avoid the intersection and have no contact with the boy or his family. As of Friday, Hoole was not listed on the Orange County Jail roster.