OC Road Rage Incident Sparks Hate Crime Allegations: Cops

IRVINE, CA — A 54-year-old Irvine man is facing charges after what police say was a "racially motivated road rage conflict" in their city, Wednesday morning.

Robert Leon Tackett was identified and arrested one day later on suspicion of committing aggravated assault and a hate crime, said Kyle Oldoerp, a spokesman for the Irvine Police Department.

Around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Tackett was seen "yelling" at a garbage truck driver, described by Irvine Police as a Hispanic man, while the victims drove by him south on San Canyon Avenue near the Santa Ana (5) Freeway. His attention detoured, and he then began following the car driven by the victims.

"Tackett began following the victim, driving aggressively and swerving into their lane multiple times, nearly causing a collision," Oldoerp said. "Tackett shouted racial slurs at the victim before throwing a cup of hot coffee into the victim’s vehicle. The liquid landed on the victim’s face, hands, and on the interior of his car."

The victim filmed the incident, and a family member posted it on social media, Oldoerp said.

Hours later, the victim contacted the Irvine Police Department and reported the incident.

Tacket was later identified and taken into custody on Thursday afternoon on suspicion of committing a hate crime and aggravated assault.

Investigators asked anyone with relevant information about the suspect to contact them at rsteen@cityofirvine.org.