The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into a possible road rage-related accident in the wake of a video posted of the incident on social media.
According to law enforcement officials, deputies arrived at the scene at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday, April 8. They had been informed of a road rage incident near Riviera Drive and Beneva Road. A witness recorded most of the incident on a phone, and deputies quickly went on the search for the driver in question. They found and arrested him a two days later.
In the video, viewers can see a motorcyclist moving from the left lane to the right, gesturing at the driver of a Mazda 3 hatchback. According to deputies, the motorcyclist struck the Mazda’s window before the vehicle swerved to the right, forcing the motorcyclist to crash off the side of the road. The motorcyclist got up and flagged down the person who was taking the video, and a voice at the end of the video says, “follow him!”
The motorcyclist suffered road rash, a hyper-extended knee and possible broken ribs.
Road rage is reckless behavior
All drivers must remain as calm as possible when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Getting overly angry or emotional can make it difficult to focus, resulting in a higher likelihood that a crash could occur.
Legally, road rage involves an element of intent, which means it may be considered a criminal offense. Thus, a driver who engages in this reckless behavior may face criminal charges, in addition to providing compensation to any victims injured due to his or her actions. Criminal penalties may include jail time, probation, fines and suspending driving privileges.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another party, you may need to seek compensation. Consult a skilled Bradenton personal injury lawyer with Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh today.