[sista]

Thomas Cosby, 56, of Port Orange.

Driver Runs Down Woman For Being Black, Police Say
Witnesses Say Man Yelled, 'All Black People Should Die'

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A driver is accused of intentionally running down and hitting a woman with his car because she is black and then yelling "all black people should die" and other racial slurs at the injured woman, police said.

Mekeda Cato, 25, of Daytona Beach, was hit while bicycling in the 700 block of South Atlantic Avenue.

Officers said Thomas Cosby, 56, was driving southbound in a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu when the car jumped the curb, striking the woman.

Police said Cosby targeted Cato because she is black, Local 6's Tarik Minor reported.

Cosby admitted to hitting Cato on purpose with his car and then calling her the n-word repeatedly after breaking her leg, police said.

Witnesses said Cosby screamed, "These black people need to die. Help me kill them. I saw her on the bike and went to take her out."

"I actually saw him coming toward me and I tried to move," Cato said from a hospital bed Tuesday. "He came straight for me. If he could target me just because the color of my skin he could target anybody else. It could have been anybody else who was just riding or just walking. If I was walking I'd probably be dead right now."

Cato continues to be treated at Halifax Medical Center.

"I don't have hate in my heart," Cato said. "I just wish he didn't hate me."

Daytona police reports indicated that Cosby just had a breakup with his girlfriend who was involved in a relationship with a black man, Minor reported.

Cosby faces charges of aggravated battery and simple battery.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

Driver Runs Down Woman For Being Black, Police Say - Orlando News Story - WKMG Orlando

Why only aggravated & simple battery? He hit the woman with his CAR.