Pocono News Section

Man Hit by Car Twice Survives to Tell His Story

Man Hit by Car Twice Survives to Tell His Story - Friday, March 27, 2009 at 3:29PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Friday, Mar 27, 2009 @ 03:29pm EST
LONG POND, MONROE COUNTY - Joseph Percoco's usual trip to work took a dangerous turn Thursday. He said he was driving down Long Pond Road when a car whizzed over the yellow lines, passed several other cars and a school bus. "He was driving like a lunatic," he explained.

Percoco called 911 and reported the driver. He said, "I thought that was the end of the story because he had been long gone." But it wasn't. When Percoco pulled into work at the FedEx Freight office in Pocono Summit he saw the speeding car parked next to the security shack. He said he got out of his car to ask the security officer for help and prepared to tell police where the speeder was. "Before I could even get my phone in my hand he just hit the accelerator and in a split second I was on the top of the car," said Percoco.

He tried to hold on but Percoco said the driver slammed the brakes, so he flew off the car and hit the pavement. Percoco added, "He put it into drive and then he came for me again. At that point I said this guy is gonna try and kill me. He's gonna finish me."

The last thing Percoco remembers is being dragged by the car. He woke up with injuries to his head, neck, back and leg. "I'm very luck to be alive," he said.

Police arrested the driver, Joseph Paige. He's charged with attempted murder. Percoco said he's not mad at Paige. In fact he's praying for him. He said, "He's still a young man. He made some bad decisions and we're sorry for him."

Percoco's short trip down the road to work has turned into a long road of recovery.

Percoco emphasized the situation has nothing to do with his job at FedEx. The accused driver was just visiting someone at that office. Percoco believes the real problem lies with all the people who speed down Long Pond Road.