TAMPA, Fla. — Two Hillsborough County deputies who were hurt after being intentionally hit by a driver last week in Brandon are undergoing surgery on Tuesday.
Deputy Manny Santos and Deputy Carlos Brito found themselves targeted by 28-year-old Ralph Bouzy who is accused of using his car to ram into them. He's now facing multiple counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
Both deputies were taken to the hospital after the incident. Santos was released over the weekend while Brito stayed because of more serious injuries.
Santos' leg suffered a bilateral break as well as several torn ligaments. According to Sheriff Chad Chronister, the deputy's surgery was scheduled for Tuesday – the first of several surgeries for his leg.
Brito already had two surgeries during his stay at the hospital, according to the sheriff. The doctors are doing "whatever they can" to save Brito's leg, which was severely damaged in the attack. The sheriff added doctors are "cautiously optimistic" about being able to save the corporal's leg.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Chronister said Brito also was "optimistic about his recovery." He was scheduled to have another surgery on Tuesday, as well.
"The prayers and well wishes for Corporal Brito and his family have been tremendous and are deeply appreciated!" the sheriff wrote on social media.
On Thursday morning, both Brito and Santos responded to a 911 call from Bouzy's mother. She said her son, who lives with her, was acting "irrational and violent," and she was in fear for her life.
Brito and Santos tried to make contact with Bouzy, who was sitting in his car in the Heather Lakes area home's driveway. After refusing to interact with deputies, Bouzy drove off.
He would soon return, however. This time, he was speeding back, according to the sheriff's office. Seconds after narrowly missing two other deputies, Chronister said Bouzy intentionally aimed his car toward Brito and Santos, ultimately hitting them and pushing them between his car and one of the deputy's marked SUVs.
Bouzy was tased and arrested by the other two deputies.
10 Tampa Bay's Claire Farrow contributed to this report.