Lafayette, LA — A New Year’s celebration took a terrifying turn early on January 1st for a couple in Lafayette. Matthew and Maddie Wells were returning home around 12:30 a.m. after spending the evening at a friend’s house when they encountered a disturbing scene on E. Broussard Road.
As they drove along the road, they noticed something unusual in the middle of the street. At first, they were unsure whether it was a person or an animal, but as they approached, they saw it was an abandoned bicycle with a child’s seat attached. Concerned that someone might be injured, the couple decided to pull over and investigate.
“We couldn’t tell if it was maybe a body,” Matthew Wells said. “There was clearly something in the road, and it was too big to be a small dog. As we got a little closer, we saw it was a bicycle.”
Maddie Wells added that her immediate reaction was to stop and check if the person in need required medical assistance. “I said we should stop; someone is hurt. Let’s just go see if they need first aid or if they need an ambulance,” she recalled.
As they stepped out of their vehicle, a man suddenly approached them, clutching his side and begging for help. “He said, ‘Please, you have to help me, please, I’m hurt,’” Maddie said. However, things quickly took a violent turn. Without warning, the man punched Matthew in the face.
Matthew, who has five years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, was ready to defend himself. “If you are trained, it’s going to come out,” he said. “For me, being used to having physical contact with other large people, it wasn’t foreign to me.”
Despite his readiness to fight back, Matthew and Maddie decided to back off when the suspect reached for his waistband, signaling a potential threat. The couple immediately realized they were in more danger than they initially thought.
“We just knew it wasn’t worth risking anything more. I’m glad we walked away from it,” Maddie added.
In a shocking turn, the suspect then stole the couple’s truck and drove off. Matthew was left with a black eye from the punch, but thankfully, the couple remained unharmed.
Lafayette Police later confirmed that they were able to locate the stolen truck and attempted a traffic stop. However, the suspect fled, eventually abandoning the vehicle in the 500 block of Marigny Circle. He then fled on foot but was apprehended by officers inside a nearby apartment complex.
Police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Steven Wiltz. He was arrested and booked on several charges, including carjacking, attempted carjacking, simple criminal damage to property, and flight from an officer.
Despite the frightening ordeal, the Wells family expressed gratitude that the situation did not escalate further. “Yes, this was a terrible incident, but it worked out in the best possible way for us,” Maddie said. “We are safe and home. I can’t stop living my life, but I can be a little more aware of my surroundings.”
Authorities have issued several safety tips for individuals who find themselves in similar situations, including:
- Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running, even for brief stops.
- If you encounter a disabled vehicle or someone flagging you down, the safest course of action is to call 911 for assistance.
- Park in well-lit areas, near sidewalks, and avoid areas where visibility is obstructed.
- Always remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings when stopped at traffic lights or in other public spaces.
The Lafayette Police Department continues to investigate the incident.