On Wednesday, August 5, 2015, Michigan State Police arrested a 38-year-old man from Whitemore Lake, Michigan, after he admitted to firing a gunshot out of his Chevrolet Cavalier shortly after getting in a car accident with another vehicle heading eastbound on M-14. According to Click On Detroit, police say the man became in engaged in road rage with a 25-year-old man driving a GMC Yukon. The incident started on southbound US-23 near Joy Road and ended on eastbound M-14 near Ford Road in Superior Township.
66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving
The driver of the GMC Yukon, from Brighton, Michigan, was the first person to call 911. The Whitemore Lake man called 911 shortly after and state troopers responded to the scene. While on the phone to the police, the man from Whitemore Lake told them that he fired a single shot of his gun out of the driver's side window. This road rage led to a car accident between the two drivers and no one was injured. The shooter was arrested and is being held at Washtenaw County Jail pending charges.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines road rage is defined as “an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or an assault by an incident that occurred on a roadway.” According to Safe Motorist, 66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving, and 37% of these aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm. During a seven year period, 218 murders and 12,610 injuries were attributed to road rage.
If you have been injured in a car or motorcycle accident as a result of road rage or aggressive driving, contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of car and motorcycle crashes. Call 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.