TAMPA, Fla. — One of the Hillsborough County deputies injured earlier this week when a suspect drove his car into two law enforcement officers was released from the hospital Saturday.

What You Need To Know

  • Deputy Manny Santos still has several surgeries before he can walk again

  • Doctors are also working to save Corporal Carlos Brito's leg

  • Suepect Ralph Bouzy is facing multiple charges of attempted murder of an officer

Deputy Manny Santos suffered a broken leg when he was struck by the car and came out of the hospital to hugs and cheers from his fellow deputies.

“There’s nothing better obviously than to see the light of day out here,” he said. “I’m happy to be here. The chances of me being here obviously were pretty slim to none for a second, but I made it out here.”

His leg, fresh out of surgery, still needs a lot of work, he says before he’s back on his feet again.

“I got some ligament damage, some tendon damage,” said Santos. “I’m gonna go through reconstructive surgery for my knee, my tibia fibula that’s all destroyed.”

He was one of two deputies struck on Thursday in Brandon by a suspect Ralph Bouzy, 28, whose mother had called authorities because he was suffering a mental crisis and acting violently.

When Deputy Santos, Corporal Carlos Brito and others arrived, they say Bouzy drove off in his car, but Santos says seconds later everything took a dangerous turn.

“At that moment we heard tires squealing coming up from the east side off that road,” he said. “He comes back. We see the car immediately. I try to push the corporal out of the way from what I’ve been told. I didn’t know I did this, just who I am.”

Bouzy was tased and taken into custody. Corporal Brito remains in the hospital as doctors work desperately to save his leg.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister says he is relieved that this whole situation wasn’t any worse.

“This guy wanted to kill a deputy,” he said. “We thought we were planning a funeral. Instead, we have a bunch of heroes, bunch of warriors here to make sure they go home.”

As for Deputy Santos, he’s anxious for the day both he and Corporal Brito are back on patrol.

“My hopes is that he keeps his body the way it is, and he comes out walking and we get back to the next shift,” said Santos.

Bouzy is facing multiple charges of attempted murder of an officer.

The sheriff’s office says he’s previously been arrested for three felonies and 14 misdemeanors.

While in detention, Sheriff Chronister says Bouzy was violent with detention deputies Friday night.