MASCOTTE, Fla. \u2013 A routine stop at a tire shop turned into a life-or-death moment.<\/p>\n
A Mascotte woman is now on life support after jumping on the hood of a car\u2014trying to stop a customer from driving off without paying.<\/p>\n
This is surveillance video of the terrifying moments before Ashley Tyer ends up on the hood of a car, trying to stop a customer from stealing tires from her shop, Just Stop Tires in Mascotte on Monday.<\/p>\n
Her coworker says the situation quickly escalated after a dispute over payment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something I see every day now. I see the look on her face, trying to tell her to breathe\u2014with no response. It\u2019s probably one of the worst feelings in the world,\u201d said James Kelly, Tyer\u2019s coworker.<\/p>\n
Kelly says he had just finished installing used tires when the customer refused to pay the full price, offering just $95, less than what Tyer had quoted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the process of us walking back to the shop\u2014where the customer was supposed to come in to pay\u2014he ended up lowering the jack, getting in the car, and driving away,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The video shows the driver nearly hitting another employee as he speeds off.<\/p>\n
Moments later, his car stalls near the street\u2014and that\u2019s when Tyer ends up on the hood.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe should\u2019ve known\u2014once she was on the hood of that car\u2014not to do that. There\u2019s no way he could\u2019ve been in fear of his life. He has to be held accountable,\u201d said Kelly<\/p>\n
Kelly says the driver went about half a block before turning a corner\u2014sending Tyer flying from the vehicle.<\/p>\n
Now, she remains on life support, recovering from serious injuries.<\/p>\n
Back at the shop, her coworkers are holding onto hope\u2014and honoring her in their own way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis tire has been sitting on the side of the building for a while. Ashley decided to take it out here and paint it,\u201d said Kelly.<\/p>\n
They say Tyer is the heart and soul of the business\u2014and her impact is being felt every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is tougher than nails\u2014and she would outwork most men. I know she cared about this place more than the owner,\u201d said Kelly.<\/p>\n
The shop\u2019s owner says they\u2019re now planning a barbecue benefit in Tyer\u2019s honor, set for Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. at the shop on West Myers Boulevard.<\/p>\n