Johannesburg – A smash and grab suspect has been left in a coma after his would-be victim drove him over.

The woman then drove home, leaving the bleeding, injured man at the scene, The Star reported.

And despite being in a coma, the man has been charged with attempted robbery and is currently under police guard at Tembisa Hospital.

The incident happened around 19:30 on Tuesday at the intersection of Pretoria and Snake roads in Northmead, Benoni.

Police spokesperson Constable Timothy Masilela said the woman was driving alone and had stopped at an intersection in Benoni when the man grabbed her handbag from a seat.

“However, the woman grabbed it back and they wrestled over it. While still holding the bag, the woman accelerated, and as she did, the man let go of the bag and fell.

“The victim said she just drove on and never checked what had happened to the man.

It appeared the man had been pulled under the car, said ER24 spokesperson Vanessa Jackson. He had been placed on life support.

The suspect has been charged with attempted robbery and is currently under police guard at Tembisa Hospital.

– News24