DETROIT – It was supposed to be a fun night.
A group of friends had gathered at Menjo’s in Detroit to fundraise for local LGBT nonprofits when things took an unexpected turn.
“You go out to have a good night, sit down for a meal, and the next thing you know, you’re laying in the middle of the street and you think your friend is dead,” said Jeremy Rosenmann.
Rosenmann says the trouble started after they grabbed a bite to eat at the Coney Island across the street from Menjo’s.
They had looked both ways before stepping out into the street when suddenly, “My friend heard them revving the engines and turned to look, and they slammed on the gas and just ran us down and took off.”
Witnesses told Rosenmann the driver of a dark colored pickup truck deliberately swerved into them in what he believes was a targeted attack.
“Because of where we were, I really feel this has something to do with the fact that we were going to a gay bar,” Rosenmann said.
Rosenmann said he blacked out, and when he came to, he had a dislocated collarbone, scrapes, and bruises.
The injuries were minor compared to those of his friend, Wiston, who remains hospitalized.
“He had a lot of broken ribs, cracked vertebrae, staples in his head,” Rosenmann said.
Wiston is in stable condition and expects to spend the next week in the hospital.
Doctors expect his recovery could take a couple of months.
Highland Park police told Local 4 they are investigating the hit-and-run but couldn’t comment on the motive.
They’re asking anyone with any information to give them a call at 313-852-7338.