SAN FRANCISCO—An unidentified 56-year-old man is facing life-threatening head injuries after being assaulted in an altercation that broke out in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District. 

An argument escalated after a minor car accident took place on the 400 block of O’Farrell Street by Taylor Street. The argument resulted in the motorist of a Mercedes-Benz punching the victim in the face, causing him to fall on his head.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, the incident took place at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Thursday, October 8. The accident was reported as a minor fender-bender, according to officers. 

After the car accident, both men immediately got out of their vehicles and began arguing in the street, according to witness testimonies. The Mercedes driver followed the victim as he was walking away, and punched the man in the face with tremendous force, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. 

When police arrived on site, the victim was already unconscious. Police say the man was bleeding from the back side of his head from striking the pavement. The driver of the Mercedes had already fled the scene by the time police arrived. 

Officers are still searching for the suspect described as a male between the ages of 35-40 years old. 

The victim remains in critical condition at the San Francisco General Hospital. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the SFPD anonymously at (415) 575-4444 or text-a-tip to TIP411 and begin the text with SFPD.