A dad-of-two who was mowed down and dragged by a Range Rover in a horror hit-and-run was just "trying to get his car back".
The man, in his 30s, remained in hospital after suffering several injuries including two broken legs, a family friend has revealed.
Terrifying CCTV footage showed the moment he was knocked to the ground after confronting the driver of a Range Rover he said was stolen from outside his Black Country home.
He was then dragged backwards as the white 4x4 quickly reversed before the vehicle drove over him and fled from the scene, leaving him helpless on the floor in Walsall town centre, BirminghamLive reports.
The man, who asked to remain anonymous, told BlackCountryLive: "He is still in hospital and has got to go through a couple of surgeries. Both of his legs are broken, one of his arms, a couple of his ribs are broken and his jaw as well."
The friend spoke out, with the victim's family's blessing, to explain how the dad was simply trying to get his property back and had shown no aggression in the build-up to the harrowing ordeal.
But having tracked down his stolen vehicle, the friend said the situation quickly escalated leaving the victim with a string of injuries.
He said: "Some of his teeth have been knocked out. He has problems with his breathing now with his ribs being broken. It is pretty bad, the family is really sad, especially his wife.
"His injuries are going to keep him away from doing anything for a while. Even walking, he is going to struggle."
Police were informed a Range Rover belonging to the victim had been pinched from the family's Walsall home - just minutes away from where the alleged attack happened.
The victim also posted a message on Facebook in the hope of finding the vehicle, which was stolen at about 4am the day before he was hurt.
He kept one set of keys for the car and it let off a signal showing the apparent whereabouts of the SUV. So, the victim and his dad decided to go out in search of it and spotted it in Caldmore Green on Wednesday.
His friend added: "He did not try to attack them or anything. He tried to approach them and say 'this is my car'. His dad was in the car and trying to call the police and it all escalated."
Paramedics arrived and swiftly treated the victim at the scene before he was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.
He has already undergone operations to one of his legs and his jaw and now awaits further surgery.
His friend added: "We don't really know how long he is going to be there. The car did drive over him, it could have been worse. I hope the people who did it get what they deserve.
"We just want people to know what went on. He was just trying to get his car back. He has never had a fight in his life. He is a very calm, funny person and I've never seen him angry."
The dramatic footage captured the moment the car wash manager got out of a black car in Caldmore Green at about 5.45pm. He then approached the SUV and opened the driver's door before the vehicle reversed and dragged him along the road.
The vehicle was then driven away from the scene at speed after swerving around the victim. Police confirmed they are hunting the driver and that a white Ranger Rover was reported stolen.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We're investigating after a man was injured after being hit by a stolen Range Rover in Caldmore Green, Walsall, at around 5.45pm yesterday. We understand that the man had approached the car which then reversed, knocking him to the ground and dragging him a short way, before it was driven off.
"The man, in his 30s, suffered leg and head injuries and after being treated by paramedics at the scene was taken for further treatment at hospital. Thankfully his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
"We're working to track down the driver and the car, registration GF12 GZE, which was reported stolen from an address in Walsall at around 4am on Tuesday (August 23). Officers are accessing and assessing CCTV footage from the area and witnesses are being spoken with.
"Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, or call 101, quoting 20/751582/22."
