Iowa City Police: Motorist Intentionally Collides with Bicyclist, Attempts to Flee Scene

An Iowa City man is facing misdemeanor charges after he allegedly turned his car into the path of a bicyclist in an October road rage incident.

According to Iowa City Police criminal complaints, Bobby Ellsworth Siberts, 62, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (vehicle), an aggravated misdemeanor, and attempting to leave the scene of an accident, a serious misdemeanor, for the collision that happened at 300 South Madison Streetat 2:02 p.m. on Oct. 26.

Police say that Siberts intentionally turned his vehicle into the path of a bicyclist, causing the bicyclist to collide with the passenger side of his vehicle, throwing the cyclist from his bike onto the concrete. Siberts then reportedly got out of his car and verbally threatened the downed rider before getting back into his car and attempting to drive away, according to the complaint.

Siberts was stopped by a nearby witness who told him that the police had been called and he should stay on the scene, according to the complaint. The cyclist suffered minor injuries, including a cut on the knuckle of his left index finger.

Jail records show that Siberts was booked into the Johnson County Jail on January 7 where he was charged and released.