Driver charged in road rage incident with cyclists - Chapel Hill, NC
 

So glad they charged this guy, I ride frequently in some of the areas mentioned in the article, and have seen drivers pull crap like this all to often in my short time riding... Luckily without anyone getting hurt though, unlike this incident.


CHAPEL HILL: Friction between bicyclists and motorists mounts in rural Orange County | Orange County | NewsObserver.com

CHAPEL HILL — A June 25 incident on Orange Grove Road between an Orange County man in a pickup truck and a Durham lawyer on a bicycle illustrates the vicious cycle of conflict that plays out across the country as bicycling becomes a more common transportation mode.

The pickup truck driver is accused of intentionally slamming on his brakes in front of a pack of cyclists and now faces three criminal charges in connection with a move that sent one rider flying to the pavement.

The cyclist who took the rough tumble is recovering from a severe case of road rash and nursing a lingering rage about a road-wrangling incident that sent a case of the willies through local cycling communities.

“It seems like it’s gotten nastier out there in the last year,” said Andrew Prokopetz, the 59-year-old rider who was so scraped up and bruised that his shirt was shredded, his wedding ring was scratched, his finger was jammed and his ire provoked.

“You can’t brake-check somebody. There’s no reason for that. That’s road rage.”

William Kirk, 64, has been accused of using his 2002 Toyota Tacoma pickup as a lethal weapon. The Orange County resident has been charged with misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and injury to real property for damage to Prokopetz’s bicycle.

Thanks for posting. I just don't see how a person that does things like this in isolation. I always figure that's as good a reason to prosecute as any.

Where are the hit and run charges? In most states, this charge doesn't require that one make contact, only that one be aware of involvement in a wreck. Where's the false reporting charge? This maniac is getting off too lightly.

Maybe more charges are pending? I hope. But from the sounds of it, it took alot of pressure for any charges to be brought at all.
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Its not wise to cross a lawyer. Hope the rider ties the driver in a long expensive legal knot.

This happened near my home. Driver denied everything, said he passed safely on a straight stretch. Cyclist had a trip computer which showed sudden deceleration on a blind curve. He may have also had a video camera. Police used this data to charge the *******.

It seems to me that road rage is becoming an excuse for vicious behavior. Instead of saying that there was a vicious criminal assault by the driver, its reported as road rage which seems like an nicer gentler, more easily dismissed description of the behavior. Somehow, as a society, we need to slam the door on this animalistic behavior.

I totally agree with you. Main stream media is totally watering down the word RAGE. Pretty soon it will have the complete opposite meaning. For example: I had a raging good time, the party was a real rage. Pretty soon raves will be rages, etc.:rolleyes:

So the only thing that got the charges brought was evidence from the riders gps data.
I am getting more and more convinced that I need a couple of cameras. Something on the back, and the front. Its the only way that anyone would ever believe that you didn't "swerve out in front of the car".

Funny, if someone physically attacks another with no witnesses using their fists, there is more of a likelihood of that person being arrested or having charges brought than if someone uses their motor vehicle to assault a group of people on bicycles.