ORLANDO, FL – An 18-year-old man is facing a charge of attempted murder after authorities say he repeatedly ran over a pedestrian’s head with his car late Sunday night, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries and unable to speak.

Jarrell Noah Jones was arrested Monday and booked into the Orange County Detention Center without bond, according to court documents. The alleged assault took place around 11:49 p.m. at the intersection of Silver Star Road and Belco Drive, located several miles northwest of the city’s downtown.

Witnesses told investigators that the victim, whose identity was not released, was crossing the street at the intersection when he was struck. According to a probable cause affidavit, Jones was behind the wheel of a silver Dodge Dart sedan at the time.

First responders arrived to find the victim suffering from multiple traumatic injuries, including a fractured skull and extensive brain bleeding. The man was immediately transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he underwent emergency treatment for his injuries.

Investigators say a nearby rideshare driver watched the incident unfold. She told authorities that after stopping at a red light next to Jones’s car, she saw the victim cross in front of both vehicles, possibly soliciting money. The witness reported seeing the Dodge Dart turn toward the pedestrian, striking him. According to her account, the driver then reversed and drove forward several times, rolling over the victim’s head before fleeing the scene at high speed.

Police pieced together the suspect’s identity using traffic camera footage from the intersection and subsequently obtained a search warrant. Inside the car at the time of the incident, according to police interviews, were Jones, his girlfriend, and another male passenger.

Accounts varied among those inside the sedan. The male passenger claimed he “blacked out” during the episode and recalled nothing until they arrived at Jones’ house. Jones’ girlfriend, however, told investigators that the victim approached the driver’s side window at a stoplight, prompting Jones to sound the horn multiple times before pressing the accelerator and knocking the man down. She said she believed Jones acted intentionally.

When detectives interviewed Jones, he denied striking anyone and maintained that he never saw the pedestrian. He further stated that he and his passengers had simply gone to McDonald’s that evening, a narrative that conflicted with witness statements and evidence gathered by police.

A review of Jones’ cellphone activity revealed an internet search for “ways to cover up a hit n run” conducted less than two hours after the incident. Authorities also allege Jones deleted his messages from the time frame of the collision.

Jones remains in custody while authorities continue their investigation. As of Tuesday afternoon, no court appearance had been scheduled, and the victim remains hospitalized in critical condition.