Valley vet critically hurt when trying to break up dispute

CHANDLER - A valley veteran is in critical condition after police say he stepped in to break up a domestic dispute.

Steve Richardson and a friend witnessed a man assaulting a woman in a Chandler parking lot. Richardson got out of his friend's car to talk to the couple, but that is when the driver of the SUV hit the gas, intentionally slamming into Richardson. He is now in the hospital fighting for his life.

"He is amazing," says his wife Samantha. "He's always going to stand up for what he believes in. He truly believes that woman was in danger and that is what he does. He feels like he needs to protect everyone and he has a big heart."

Richardson served in Iraq for three years. Police are now searching for an Indian couple driving a white Honda SUV. If you have any information, you're asked to call police.