Florida tourist fighting for life after being punched in Queens

A Florida tourist is in a critical condition after being punched in the face by the driver of an SUV who he may have mistaken for a New York City Uber driver.

The assault occurred Sunday at about 1.15am in Queens while Sandor Szabo, 35, was on his way back to his hotel after his stepsister’s wedding celebration on Saturday.

Authorities said the unknown man punched Sandor in the face after a confrontation and then drove off in a white SUV.   

Sandor fell backwards, hitting his head against the pavement. He then lost consciousness.

 

Szabo's brother believes Sandor likely mistook the man for an Uber driver after attending his stepsister's wedding

Florida resident Sandor Szabo, 35, struck his head on the sidewalk after being punched in the face by a man he likely mistook for an Uber driver after attending his stepsister’s wedding

The NYPD released this picture of the man who they believe punched Sandor in the face

The NYPD released this picture of the man who they believe punched Sandor in the face

Sandor’s brother, Dominic Szabo, 33, told the NY Daily News that Sandor’s attempts to avoid the punch by backing away actually added to the force involved when he hit his head on the sidewalk.

Dominic said that it was the impact with the pavement that resulted in Sandor’s brain injury and that he is in critical condition at the hospital, undergoing tests. 

‘He’s not doing good,’ Dominic said. ‘The diagnosis is he’s probably not gonna make it.’

Dominic noted that prior to the incident occurring, Sandor’s phone battery had died.

 Dominic speculated that his brother had likely been attempting to hail a ride back to his hotel and ‘probably just tapped on the wrong guy’s car’ that night’. 

After striking Sandor, the man was seen fleeing the scene in this white SUV

After striking Sandor, the man was seen fleeing the scene in this white SUV

Authorities told the Daily News that Sandor might’ve been drunk at the time of the incident.

The NYPD has released footage of the car and the man, who is described as being a bald dark-skinned male. He was last seen wearing a light colored long sleeved shirt and jeans.  

Dominic described Sandor as being ‘the nicest guy you’d ever meet,’ who was also ready to help out a stranger or anybody else. Prior to attending his stepsister’s wedding, Dominic, who works in digital advertising, had been in town for a trade show in New York City.  

Anyone with information about the incident should call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk