An Encinitas carpenter is recovering after a violent machete attack during a road rage incident in Carlsbad that nearly cost him his hand, according to authorities and witnesses.
The attack happened during the lunch hour outside Prontos in Carlsbad, where a dispute over a parking space escalated into violence. Authorities identified the suspect as 22-year-old Austin Walters of Fallbrook.
Fifty-eight-year-old Eddie Perkins suffered severe injuries when his hand was nearly severed.
“He had cut through three bones the two arteries,” Perkins said.
“I thought I was going to die I was losing so much blood.”
An X-ray shows the extent of the injuries. While surgeons were able to save his hand, Perkins said his future use of it remains uncertain.
“It’s going to be months years. Doubts I will have feelings in these fingers again,” Perkins said.
Perkins said the confrontation began after a brief disagreement over parking. He said Walters punctured his truck tire with a knife before attacking him with a machete.
“Lunged at me popped my tires. I push hit him away. He swung the machete overhead and I blocked it,” Perkins said.
Witness Justin Rangel, who manages Alliance Jujitsu and was eating lunch nearby, described the chaotic scene.
“A roller coaster of emotions on what was going on,” Rangel said.
Rangel said Walters appeared disoriented during the confrontation.
“He was all over the place not really making any sense of what he was saying,” Rangel said.
Despite the violence, Rangel said Walters appeared to show immediate regret after the attack.
“As soon as he hit the guy with the machete, It was I want to help him,” Rangel said.
Rangel also expressed shock that someone would be carrying a machete.
“Somebody to be caring a machete in Carlsbad that’s odd I wouldn’t have thought that any day,” Rangel said.
The witness said there were plenty of available parking spaces in the lot at the time, despite the lunch hour.
Walters has pleaded not guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a weapon. Both charges carry serious penalties if he is convicted. He was arraigned on the charges and is scheduled for a readiness hearing at the end of the month.
Perkins, now focused on recovery, said the incident should never have escalated.
“It was dumb, petty and should never have happened,” Perkins said.
Perkins’ sister organized an on line fundraiser to collect donations for Eddie’s healthcare.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.