Man run over after lying in front of car to prevent girlfriend from leaving

A man is in critical condition after he was run over by a car while lying on the ground in front of it to keep his girlfriend from leaving Sunday morning in Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes said 25-year-old Joel Santos had had a verbal argument with his girlfriend and did not want her to go.

Despite his urging, 26-year-old Gloribeth Santiago got into the passenger seat of her cousin Christina Santiago's car about 4:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Windmill Point condominiums on Alafaya Trail near Challenger Parkway, an FHP report said.

Both women lost sight of Santos as the car traveled west out of the parking lot. That is when they felt something beneath the front tires of the car, Montes.

Santiago stopped the car to find Santos pinned underneath the tires and called 911.

"We don't believe this is anything intentional," Montes said. "They thought he had moved but he laid down on the ground."

Emergency crews had to use a jack to lift the car off of Santos, who was unconscious.

Montes said Santos was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center suffering from several burns he sustained while under the car.

Troopers said Santos was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.