Driver could lose eye after brutal Boxing Day assault
A Perth father-to-be is facing the prospect of having his eye surgically-removed after he was allegedly assaulted over the Christmas period.
Adam, 33, who is a driver for a ride-share company, was blinded by a single punch following an alleged altercation with passengers on Boxing Day.
Police say the violence erupted about 1.30am when they refused to put on their seatbelts.
Two men have been charged over the incident, accused of punching the 33-year old so hard it’s left him blind in one eye.
“Over nothing I lost everything,” he told 7News.
Adam picked the men up on Hedley Street in Bentley before only driving them about 400 metres to Manning Road where he pulled over after they wouldn’t put on their seatbelts.
Police allege it was at this moment he was assaulted.
“I just did nothing wrong,” he said, revealing he was only due to make about $5 from the ride.
Bleeding profusely from his eye, Adam somehow managed to concentrate and drove himself to Royal Perth where he spent five nights and underwent an operation.
Adam will return to hospital on Monday where it’s likely he’ll find out if and when his eye needs to be surgically removed.
At the moment, surgery appears to be the best case scenario. If he doesn’t have it removed, Adam could go blind in both eyes.
With Adam unable to see properly, he now can’t work.
It means he and his wife, who’s pregnant, can’t afford their rent and are having to move in with friends.
“I can’t do anything at this stage in order to support her and it just really hurts me,” he said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Adam with his ongoing financial struggle.
Police say it didn’t take long to catch Adam’s alleged attackers who ordered another car straight after Adam escaped.
