SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. (WTVR) -- Cory Eckler was just released from the hospital Friday, where he has been recovering from an assault at a stoplight.

It started with a thumbs-down. Eckler said the suspect, Daniel Brown gave him a thumbs-down when he pulled up next to Eckler at a stoplight. Eckler assumed Brown didn't like his car. Eckler rolled up his window and proceeded to the next stoplight.

He said that Brown tried to edge his car off the road, and at the next stoplight Eckler rolled down his window and asked what Brown was doing. Eckler said Brown walked over to his car, and he could see something in Brown’s hand.

He said the next thing he knew, while stopped at Gordon and Plank Road, he was being assaulted with a mag light.

Eckler’s road to recovery will be a long one. He said he has a cracked skull, some internal bleeding around the brain, and also on the surface of his brain.

Spotsyl vania deputies said they aren’t sure why Brown attacked 20-year old Eckler. They put out a request for information on Facebook and were contacted by a tipster.

“It’s ridiculous how people react,” Eckler said.

Police say the same random thing could happen to anyone. We asked law enforcement what their advice would be if you're stopped at a light and an angry driver gets out of a car with a weapon

“Stay in your vehicle-do not challenge the suspect,” Spotsylvania deputy said.

Drive your vehicle to a well-lit area like a shopping center, a fire station, or a police station and go anywhere with a large public presence.

“I'm not encouraging you to break the law but if your safety is in jeopardy-do what you have to do to get out of danger,” the deputy said.