Emma Kennedy

ekennedy@pnj.com

The 56-year-old Pensacola man who allegedly struck eight servicemen with his car on Saturday in Perdido Key had to be detained by a bystander until police arrived, according to a newly released report.

Eric Watt has been charged with driving under the influence causing seriously bodily injury in connection to the crash in the 14000 block of Perdido Key Drive.

The Florida Highway Patrol’s incident report states the witness, whose name is redacted, observed the crash at about 8 p.m. and helped the eight victims who had been struck by the Infiniti.

RELATED CONTENT: Pensacola man sentenced in batteries, drug sale

The witness told police he thought the suspect was about to drive away, so he ran over and detained the driver. The witness also told police that Watt appeared disoriented and intoxicated at the scene.

The Florida Highway Patrol took over the investigation from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and field-tested Watt. The officer reported there was a strong odor of alcohol on Watt's breath and his eyes were bloodshot.

Watt failed the field tests, according to the report. When he was tested about five hours later, he had a breath alcohol content of 0.093.

The eight pedestrians Watt allegedly hit are all servicemen who are based at Pensacola Naval Air Station.

RELATED CONTENT: Milton man sentenced for trafficking meth

They were all transported to area hospitals. One of the men, Jordan Lo, 24, was listed in critical condition after the crash. Five of the men were listed with serious injuries, one had minor injuries and one was not injured, according to the report.

The pedestrians who were struck are identified as:

Jordan Lo, 24

Kevin Park, 24

Steven Parsons, 26

Christian Martinez, age unknown

Jerome Wallar, age unknown

Brandon Nunez, age unknown

Christopher Martinez, 25

Travis Hehman, 23

Watt was released on a $40,000 bond the day after the crash and will appear in court May 19.