San Francisco police say they have the man responsible for critically injuring an off-duty Cal Fire firefighter Thanksgiving morning.
Eduardo Esquivel, 22, was arrested overnight in South San Francisco after being identified by a San Francisco police officer who recognized him from Jack in the Box surveillance video footage.
Police said Esquivel ran down Albert Bartal after the two had a fight earlier in the night at a nearby restaurant.
Witnesses said Bartal walked to a nearby gas station at Ninth Avenue and Geary Boulevard following the confrontation, while Esquivel got into his car and purposely struck him.
Bartal suffered a serious head injury and remains in ICU at SF General.
Esquievel is being held on felony charges for mayhem, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault with great bodily injury.
Police said they are still looking for the car involved in the crime. It is described as a black SUV possibly a Ford Edge or Mazda style CX with front end damage.
Bartal has worked for the past five years as a seasonal firefighter at Cal Fire's Saratoga Summit station in Santa Cruz County, fire Capt. Jonathan Cox told Bay City News.
A relief fund has been set up for Bartal who has a young daughter. Donations can be made to account No. 1379608 at the San Francisco Police Credit Union.
