Phillip Beasley (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

Man carjacked by inmates: ‘By the grace of God I’m here’

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The man who was carjacked by the two escaped inmates in Putnam County said he forgives them for what they did to him.

“I’m not mad at them,” Phillip Beasley told Channel 2 Action News.

It happened Tuesday morning on Highway 16. Beasley, who was en route to work, said he normally would’ve had his 3-year-old with him but fortunately did not that day.

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Beasley said the prison transport bus was stopped on the road when he pulled up behind it, Channel 2 reported. Then he saw two inmates with guns running toward him screaming, “Get out.” 

“By the grace of God I’m here,” Beasley said.

Beasley said as inmates Donnie Russell Rowe and Ricky Dubose ran toward him, he thought of hugging his wife and kids — “ ’Cause I knew they were not going to have their daddy anymore.”

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Beasley didn't make eye contact with the men, just got out of his green Honda Civic and waited. He heard the car drive off, dropped to his knees and prayed, and then went to a nearby store and called 911. 

He learned later two guards were killed.

“I am very sorry they lost their lives,” Beasley said. “I can't imagine what their families are going through. Why they left me, I don’t know.”

The victim says he's still haunted by what happened that day.

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