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Driver Who Hit Woman While Fleeing Comic-Con Zombies Is Charged

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The annual Comic-Con zombie walk in 2012 (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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A deaf man who drove through a crowd of 'zombies' at last year's Comic-Con, injuring a 64-year-old woman, has been charged with felony reckless driving resulting in bodily injury. Matthew Pocci, Jr., 48, has been charged in an July 26 incident during which he struck and injured a 64-year-old woman with his car while trying to flee a crowd of 'zombies' during a zombie walk event. In turn, he is suing the city of San Diego for not adequately supervising the zombie walk.

It was about 5:30 p.m. when Pocci stopped his Honda Civic at an intersection to wait for the 'zombies' to pass. Pocci was driving with his girlfriend and two children. The zombies scared the children, who are also deaf, in Pocci's car, so he attempted to inch forward and get away from the crowd. Police say the 'zombies' responded by pounding on his car, shattering his windshield. Pocci then attempted to drive away, striking the woman in the process. The woman was not a part of the zombie event.

The zombies chased Pocci's car after he hit the woman, but Pocci stopped himself when he spotted a police officer. Police admit that Pocci's behavior was related to fear after being surrounded by the crowd. Pocci will be arraigned on March 9.

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