This week, a 29-year-old man from Florida was arrested after he is alleged to have jumped out of a moving car, punching a 62-year-old man in the head outside of a 7-11 convenience store in the 7400 block of Red Bug Lake Road in Oviedo. This punch resulted in severe brain injuries for the victim, Amir Aryafar, which ultimately led to his death. Brian Thomas Darnold was charged with one count of negligent manslaughter in relation to the incident.
Police arrived at the scene at 12:02 PM on May 1 and found Aryafar unconscious. Surveillance camera footage showed Darnold exiting the store and getting into the car while Aryafar was standing on the sidewalk in front of the store. Darnold then exited the still-moving vehicle and punched Aryafar in the head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. Darnold allegedly drove away without offering any assistance.
Using the license plate of the car to identify Darnold’s girlfriend, he was tracked down at her parent’s home later that day. Darnold told police that Aryafar had asked him for weed which he did not have and then told Darnold to “go f— yourself”. Darnold stated that his first instinct was to “jump out and defend us” and that he had only punched Aryafar to “stop” him from potentially punching him through the window.
Aryafar was taken off life support on May 3, and his death was ruled a homicide caused by traumatic brain injury. Darnold was taken to the Seminole County Jail and released on his own recognizance and is due in court on August 8.