A 24-year old driver and his 18-year-old male passenger are in jail after an extensive seven-mile-long road rage incident in Battle Creek. According to police, the incident started when a (presently unidentified) driver noticed the two men speeding, driving erratically, and weaving in and out of traffic, on I-94. The two men then cut off the unidentified driver, prompting the driver to try and catch up to them to get their license plate number to give to police. However, this triggered a massive road rage incident that went on for miles. The driver continued to follow the two men from I-94 to Capitol, Beckley, Riverside, and Columbia. According to the driver, at one point during this “chase,” the passenger in the first car produced a hand-gun in the open window and pointed it directly at him. Shockingly, the driver still continued to follow the two men until police were able to intersect them on Columbia. Police arrested both the driver and passenger and confiscated a handgun matching the description that the other driver provided. The men were taken to Calhoun County Jail. Police have not yet released the specific charges against the men; the investigation into the case remains ongoing.
What to Know About Road Rage
The most important thing to know about road rage is that it is best to avoid it whenever possible. The unidentified driver mentioned above chose to engage with the road rage of the two drivers by following them. While to him it may have seemed as though he was doing the right thing, it certainly also escalated the violence that ensued. There is really no way to engage with an aggressor on the road that will not further escalate the situation. The best thing you can do if you see a driver exhibiting signs of erratic driving or road rage is to give them plenty of space. Even if they cut you off or exert their road rage on you, try not to react or engage.
Police want drivers to know that if they are faced with an aggressive or rageful driver, they should under no circumstances chase or follow them. The best thing you can do if you witness or are involved in a road rage incident, is to pull over and call the police to report the incident. If you do not know the license plate number, simply provide the information you do have on hand--your location, the road the car is traveling on, the direction it is going, the color, make, and model, and any bumper stickers or distinguishing characteristics of the car can all be helpful in allowing police to safely apprehend the suspect.
Talk to an Attorney
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony driving-related offense in North Carolina, the experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys at Coastal South Law are prepared to help you fight to get the best possible outcome for your case. Contact Coastal South Law in Bolivia, North Carolina, today, to schedule a consultation.