Shocking cell phone video captured the moment an overbearing Mercedes owner slapped an autistic boy walking down a California street on Monday for touching the hood ornament of his car.
On July 1, 10-year-old Alfredo Morales was crossing the street with his sister at the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Osborn Street in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles.
As the brothers were heading to the bus stop for their daily food supply, little Alfredo reached out and touched the Mercedes-Benz emblem on the front of a luxury sedan that was stopped at a red light at an intersection. According to KTLA.
The driver was infuriated by this strange grab and quickly made a U-turn and confronted the couple as they were sitting on a bench at the bus stop.
“I’m sorry, but he has autism,” his sister says in Spanish in the video. “He has special needs.”
Morales’ sister tried to stand between her brother and the man while Alfredo smiled and offered his hand to the newcomer.
His brother tried to barricade himself but it was ineffective as the driver slapped him across the face before getting back in the car.
After the slap, the unidentified driver is seen getting out of his car, inspecting the front emblem and moving it before driving off, as recorded on cellphone video.
Alfredo’s parents told the media they were outraged by the incident, explaining that their son has autism and often explores his environment through touch.
Alfredo’s father, Miguel Morales, is searching for answers and demanding justice for his son.
Morales said he plans to file a report about the incident, along with the video footage, with police, according to KTLA.
The Los Angeles Police Department was called to the scene, but by the time officers arrived at the bus, everyone was gone. Foz 11 LA reported.
The 2023 S-Class sedan was purchased in Valencia in April 2024 for approximately $146,000. In the Daily Mail.
