Inset: Christian Salgado (Miami-Dade Corrections). Background: Walmart in Hialeah, Fla., where Salgado allegedly assaulted a man in the parking lot (Google Maps).
A road rage incident at a Florida Walmart led to a man slamming another man to the ground in front of his pregnant girlfriend and child, causing serious head injuries, cops say.
Christian Salgado, 46, is facing an aggravated battery charge. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, Salgado and the victim were involved in a verbal dispute in their vehicles in the parking lot of the Walmart at 400 W. 49th St. in Hialeah.
The victim parked his car while Salgado drove away. But a short time later, Salgado returned to the parking lot and allegedly parked behind the victim, blocking him in. The victim was inside the car with his "visibly" pregnant girlfriend and a child.
Salgado allegedly put his hands behind his back and "repeatedly" told the victim to punch him in the face during the May 23 incident. When the victim did not oblige, Salgado hit the victim, cops wrote.
A fight ensued and Salgado allegedly lifted the man by his waist and slammed him headfirst onto the pavement. The victim suffered a large laceration to his head and ear. The victim and the suspect remained at the scene.
Once at the hospital, the victim had to undergo emergency surgery to repair bleeding on the brain. He also suffered multiple fractures to his vertebrae, ribs and sternum and may need another surgery to repair his spine, cops wrote.
Investigators determined Salgado was the "primary aggressor" during the incident and arrested him on Monday.
He remains in the Miami-Dade County Jail on a $15,000 bond. His next court date was not immediately listed.
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