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'It was horrific:' Attacker leaves woman for dead outside Belmont fitness center

BELMONT, N.C. — A stranger attacked a woman leaving a popular gym, knocked her out and ran her over with her own car, police said.

Kevin Ryersen allegedly assaulted the woman at about 12:20 a.m. Thursday outside the Planet Fitness in Belmont, authorities said.

(Kevin Ryersen)  

The victim woke up hours later in the hospital.

Police arrested Ryersen in the victim's car at about 9 a.m. later the same morning. He is in the Gaston County jail under a $1 million bond.

Police said the assaulter didn't care others were watching.

A witness told Channel 9 they were yelling at Ryerson, trying to get him to get off the woman outside Planet Fitness.

Witnesses said the man’s fingers stayed wrapped around the victim's throat.

The victim is recovering at home and didn’t want to talk on camera about the incident.

She said she noticed a stranger in the gym looking at women working out just after midnight.

She said came out of the front door and didn't realize he was following her until he jumped on her near her car.

People working at the Wendy's across the parking lot saw the attack.

"Never be the same. I see things in a whole new light,” witness Tonya Lucas said. "It was horrific. No words as to what I seen."

Lucas said she saw Ryersen choking and beating the woman.

"He was just choking her, beating her,” Lucas said. “It was awful."

Lucas said she and other employees yelled at Ryersen, and then called 911.

“He acted like he didn't even hear a word we said,” Lucas said.

The victim passed out.

Belmont police said Ryersen thought she was dead, and then he saw her move.

Lucas said Ryerson got into her car and ran the woman over.

"He got up and got into the vehicle and proceeded to look at us, and smile, and then he ran her over,” Lucas said.

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