TEMPE, Ariz. — An ASU student is lucky to be alive after a suspected DUI driver slammed into him at a Tempe market.
Police said around 11 p.m. Tuesday, 19-year-old Hunter Boccaccio and another customer were standing in front of the El Paisano Market near Rural Road and Apache Boulevard when an SUV driven by David Chidester drove towards the business where the two were standing.
Detectives said Boccaccio pushed the other customer out of the way at which point Chidester's vehicle pinned him against a wall before colliding with the front of the store.
Boccaccio was transported to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries to his lower extremities. The other customer was not hurt, according to Tempe police.
Boccaccio, who lives in Scottsdale, graduated from Chaparral High School and is a business communications major at the university.
Boccaccio's dad Tony tells 12 News, Hunter has a broken ankle and other injuries but no spinal injury and no pelvic injury which they think is a miracle.
"While we investigate this reckless and preventable incident, we pray for Hunter's quick recovery," said the family's attorney.
The front of El Paisano Market sustained approximately $20,000 worth of damage, officials said.
Police said Chidester showed signs of impairment and was arrested for DUI, aggravated assault, and endangerment.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.