• Polk County man Hans Hamilton stopped to assist a driver whose car crashed into a guardrail near Walt Disney World.
• The driver, Daniel Coman, suddenly attacked Hamilton instead of accepting help.
• Dashcam video captured Coman kicking the windshield and beating Hamilton on the ground.
• Hamilton suffered broken ribs, a brain bleed, and bruises; multiple Orange County deputies were needed to subdue Coman.
• Hamilton urges caution but says people should not lose their humanity.
DAVENPORT, Fla. — Hans Hamilton said he just did what anyone with humanity would do.
While driving near Walt Disney World on Monday, Hamilton noticed a car smashed into a guardrail. Next to it, a man later identified as Daniel Coman was on the ground by the highway.
“I’m like, ‘This person’s dead,’” Hamilton said.
As soon as he opened his car door, Coman was up and off his feet. Dashcam video from Hamilton’s car shows Coman running to the hood of the car and kicking the windshield. Moments later, dashcam video caught Coman beating Hamilton on the ground. He thought Coman was trying to kill him.
“He’s a monster. That’s the only word to describe him,” Hamilton said.
Somehow, Hamilton managed to hit Coman in the neck area in an effort to disarm him. The rest of what happened remains blurry, he said. Broken ribs, a brain bleed, and black and blue marks became a result of the attack.
Speaking four days later from his Davenport home, Hamilton said there is still pain from the physical injuries. The mental impact is an up-and-down journey, but support from strangers and the community has been healing.
“They don’t understand the impact that it has for me personally because, again, they don’t know me, but like me, they’re kind, and they do care and that’s refreshing,” Hamilton said.
After arriving on scene, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said it took multiple deputies, including assistance from Hamilton and another person at one point, to properly control and detain Coman. Coman also became aggressive and physical against law enforcement, according to an arrest affidavit.
Coman faces multiple charges including battery on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief and resisting an officer with violence, all of which are felonies. His battery charge is a first-degree misdemeanor, according to Orange County court records.
Hamilton said the attacks to him and his car have cost him thousands of dollars so far. A GoFundMe has been set up to help support with expenses.
In the end, Hamilton believes Coman should be held accountable—not only for the assault he experienced, but to ensure another person isn’t harmed. While he hopes sharing his story and the videos can help save lives by encouraging others to be cautious, he also hopes people aren’t discouraged from helping others.
“Think twice, but please, please don’t lose your humanity,” Hamilton said. “We need more of the reaching out to each other and helping each other.”