Metro

Fla. utility worker attacked on Long Island

A utility worker from Lakeland, Fla., was punched in the face while walking outside a restaurant on New York’s Long Island.

The Lakeland Ledger reports that John Applewhite suffered a broken jaw and several face fractures.

A Nassau County police press release said a man was punched in the face on Friday night in East Meadow, but did not identify Applewhite by name or occupation. The assailant fled in a dark BMW. No arrests have been announced.

Applewhite tells the Lakeland newspaper that he doesn’t know why he was attacked. Many Long Island residents have complained about being without power for two weeks following Superstorm Sandy.

The 34-year-old worker for Lakeland Electric said nothing was stolen. He attributed the attack to “a bad apple.”