A horrifying road rage incident in Florida has left a young woman, Jermeria Holycross, fighting for her life after being run down by a man who allegedly smiled and laughed as he carried out the brutal attack. The attacker, Boris Twillman, was out on bail for a previous violent assault on his own son when he reportedly rammed his Jeep Wrangler into Holycross, leaving her with serious injuries.
The Road Rage Incident
The incident occurred near the intersection of Highway 19 and East Bay Drive in Largo, Florida, at around 3 p.m. on August 10th. Jermeria Holycross was driving with her teen brother and her boyfriend’s two young children when Boris Twillman began tailgating her vehicle. Thinking she had been rear-ended, Holycross pulled over. Twillman, allegedly smiling, then accelerated and rammed her with his Jeep, pinning her between the two vehicles and dragging her along the driver’s side of her Volkswagen Jetta.
The scene was described by Holycross’ mother, Tammy, who recounted the horror of watching her daughter being run over by Twillman. “He proceeded to look at her, smile and laugh, and hit the gas and run her over in front of my son and her boyfriend’s two children,” Tammy told Fox 13 Tampa Bay. The impact was so severe that Holycross’s face hit the glass, causing her to suffer multiple injuries, including a broken pelvis, broken ribs, a broken leg, facial cuts, and road rash.
The Alleged Attacker
Boris Twillman, a 57-year-old veteran, had been out on bail following an April arrest for allegedly pistol-whipping his son with a Glock, breaking the victim’s nose and orbital bone. He had also been accused of pushing his mother against a wall during a previous altercation on March 19. Despite these violent incidents, Twillman was free on bail when he allegedly attempted to run down Holycross in the road rage incident.
After nearly killing Holycross, Twillman fled the scene but later called the police to report that something had happened on the highway, denying any involvement. However, he was arrested on charges of first-degree attempted murder and placed in Pinellas County Jail without bond. His alleged victim, Jermeria Holycross, faced a long and painful road to recovery after the brutal attack.
The Aftermath and Recovery
Jermeria Holycross underwent several surgeries to repair the extensive damage caused by the attack. She will have to relearn how to walk and faces the fear that her broken pelvis may prevent her from having children in the future. Despite the physical and emotional trauma she endured, Holycross has shown remarkable resilience and determination in her recovery process.
Following the surgeries, Holycross returned home to the care of her family, who are providing her with the support and encouragement she needs to heal. Her mother, Tammy, described her daughter as a loving jokester who always looks for the positive side of things. Despite the horrific nature of the attack, the family remains hopeful and determined to see justice served for Jermeria.
Tammy expressed forgiveness towards Twillman, the man responsible for the attack, but emphasized the importance of holding him accountable for his actions. “My main concern is that I’m not burying her, you know? But I feel like justice needs to be served,” Tammy said. The family’s focus remains on Jermeria’s recovery and ensuring that she receives the care and support she needs to overcome the physical and emotional challenges ahead.
In the aftermath of the attack, Jermeria’s aunt, Misty Moore, reflected on the impact of the incident on the family. “Jermeria is such a good girl. She’s vibrant, bright, energetic… This was an outright slaughter of a human being on the side of the road,” Moore said. The family’s pain and shock at the brutal attack are evident, but they remain united in their support for Jermeria as she continues her journey towards healing and recovery.
As Jermeria Holycross faces the challenges of rebuilding her life after the traumatic attack, her family and community are rallying around her with love, support, and encouragement. The road to recovery will be long and difficult, but with the strength and resilience she has shown thus far, there is hope for a brighter future ahead. Jermeria’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of standing together in the face of adversity and seeking justice for those who have been wronged.
