Woman struck by vehicle; driver charged

OCALA — An Ocala woman who reportedly intentionally struck another woman with her car Thursday night has been charged with attempted murder.

According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, there was bad blood between the two women because the suspect, Dawn M. Johnson, 34, had seen the victim, Diane Agnew, 40, talking with Johnson's ex-boyfriend earlier Thursday.

Agnew, was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center with multiple injuries. She remained hospitalized late Friday.

Agnew told sheriff's detective Rhonda Stroup that she and her children were coming from her son's football practice about 8:15 p.m. and had pulled into a parking lot at S.E. 24th Street and Baseline Road, when she saw Johnson standing close to the C & D Coliseum Bar.

Agnew, who had planned to go to a nearby Dollar Store, told the detective she drove to the side of the parking lot to avoid Johnson. Agnew said Johnson spotted her and then crawled onto the hood of her car and refused to get off, so she went inside the bar to see if anyone would help her. When she left the bar with a patron, Charles A. Passante, she said Johnson appeared to be gone.

Then, while Agnew was standing in the parking lot, Johnson drove toward her, she said, and the next thing she knew she was lying face down on the ground and in pain.

Medical personnel reported that Agnew suffered numerous injuries, including a fractured skull, cuts to her forehead and scalp and bleeding in her brain.

Deputies said Johnson drove away in her 1996 Ford and soon struck another vehicle. She was later caught.

The Florida Highway Patrol, which also is investigating, calculated that Johnson's car was traveling 18 to 24 mph at impact.

Family members came to care for Agnew's children.

Agnew told detectives Johnson was angry with her, because she had seen her speaking with Johnson's ex-boyfriend earlier Thursday and was jealous. The victim said Johnson called, screamed profanities at her and accused her of sleeping with him.

Johnson told detectives she and Agnew met at the bar earlier in the day and were having drinks when Agnew left for her son's football practice. Johnson said she remained at the bar and drank some more until Agnew returned.

She acknowledge climbing onto the hood of Agnew's car, but said she was just kidding and didn't understand why the victim went for help.

Johnson said she doesn't remember getting into her vehicle or hitting anyone. Johnson told detectives she has problems with alcohol and anger.

Austin L. Miller may be reached at austin.miller@starbanner.com or 867-4118.