ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Joggers in Central Florida are on edge after a woman said she had to fight off a man while out on a run earlier over the weekend.
Deputies said Israel Pagan tried to attack her on the Econ Trail on Sunday. He was arrested on Wednesday and deputies said there may be additional victims.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Pagan is facing charges for attempted sexual battery.
The case has joggers asking for more safety measures on area trails.
Read: Man, 19, accused of grabbing woman jogging on Orange County trail
“Being a runner myself, I’m concerned for my own safety as well as my partner’s,” said Miguel de la Rosa.
He’s training for the Honolulu Marathon, clocking in about 40 miles a week on the trails. But after deputies announced Pagan’s arrest, he sees it as another reason to reconsider when to train.
Read: Eliza Fletcher abduction: How women can stay safe while running
“I think these are things that I thought about even before the incident. I’m pretty darn concerned about my running at night and hearing all of this I think I’m about to keep my runs to during the daytime,” he said.
De la Rosa hopes the city will consider better lighting in trails and parks, which could be a major game changer for runner safety.
“Even in many of the areas where they’re generally safe areas but there are still parts of the trail that don’t have lighting,” he said.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2022 Cox Media Group
