August 10, 2026 / 10:19 PM PDT / CBS LA
Nearly two months after suffering a fractured spine and skull, 19-year-old Brandon Mendez is trying to focus on recovering rather than wasting his energy on hating the Perris man accused of [intentionally crashing into people in Culver City.](https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/pedestrians-hit-during-culver-city-police-pursuit/)
Dash camera video shows 45-year-old Juan Luis Estrada allegedly running over Mendez while the teen took a break from his job at Big 5 Sporting Goods. As jarring as the footage is, Mendez recalled the moment he tried to get out of the suspect's way.
"I was heading toward 7-Eleven," Mendez said. "I was crossing my green light. I see a car running all the red lights and almost hitting people. I'm just going to move out of the way. So I move out of the way, but he still swerves into me. I don't remember anything after that."
On top of the fractured spine and skull, Mendez said he suffered internal bleeding and doctors had to remove his spleen.
Prosecutors accuse [Estrada](https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/perris-man-accused-of-intentionally-crashing-into-10-people-in-culver-city/) of using a carjacked vehicle to run over nine more people during his alleged cross-town crime spree. The Culver City Police Department arrested Estrada after he led officers on a pursuit into downtown Los Angeles.
He faces 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of carjacking, one count of evading a peace officer causing serious bodily injury, one count of battery on a peace officer and three counts of felony hit-and-run.
Estrada's being held on a $10.25 million bail.
"If he needs help, he should get help," Mendez said. "Other than that, I think he's a danger to society."
Mendez is slowly returning to work at Big 5 and still takes a walk during his break.
"Life really changes in an instant," Mendez said. "It's crazy. I'd say I changed. I think I'm a lot more appreciative of things. Life is beautiful. Don't take it for granted."
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