Road Rage Ends In Sledgehammer Assault

The early morning commute on State Route 167 turned into negligent driving and assault charges when two drivers took driving frustrations into their own hands. 

At 6:38 a.m. on Feb. 7, a two-car collision on southbound State Route 167 near Interstate 405 had troopers responding to a 911 report of a driver being struck with a sledgehammer. Troopers arrived at the scene and contacted the driver of a white Nissan 300ZX, a 33-year-old Renton man, who was rubbing his left shoulder stating he had been hit by the driver of a minivan. The driver of a gold GMC minivan, Brett Carter of Bothell, stated he had hit the Nissan driver with a small sledgehammer because he refused to move out of his van doorway.

Both drivers had pulled onto the right shoulder after the minivan hit the Nissan from behind. The drivers had an angry exchange after a lane change that the Nissan driver said forced him off the road. After a few moments of travel the Nissan driver moved in front of the minivan and slammed on the brakes. The vehicles moved onto the shoulder and began an argument that ended when the Nissan driver was hit in the shoulder.

The driver of the minivan was booked into King County Jail and faces Assault charges. The Nissan driver was cited for Negligent driving for his part in the road rage.

Road rage is an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger of one motor vehicle on the operator or passenger of another motor vehicle caused by an incident that occurred on a roadway. Not allowing anger and frustration to guide behaviors is a key element to a safe commute. 

*Editor's Note: Information provided by the Washington State Patrol.