Post by Woody Williams on Dec 16, 2006 8:05:18 GMT -5
Antlers used as weapon in alleged Fort Pierce road rage incident
By DEREK SIMMONSEN AND WILL GREENLEE
staff writers
December 15, 2006
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Rush-hour disputes on U.S. 1 aren't unusual, but rarely do they involve deer antlers.
The men involved gave differing accounts of the incident, which occurred about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday near U.S. 1 and Midway Road, according to sheriff's office reports. Keith Ransford, 23, told investigators he and another man were driving north on U.S. 1 in a Jeep Cherokee when a red truck tried to run them off the road. One witness said she saw the truck driving "aggressively" on U.S. 1 before the incident, weaving in and out of traffic.
The truck's driver, Ronny White, 35, said Thursday the Jeep was driving close behind him and cut him off as he tried to change lanes before pulling ahead of him. He said Ransford then slammed on his brakes and both vehicles stopped in the middle of U.S. 1, with the drivers getting out and exchanging words.
White said they got back into their vehicles, but met again at the stoplight at the intersection with Midway Road, where he said Ransford began motioning for him to fight. He grabbed a pair of deer antlers, which he uses for calling deer during hunting season, got out of his truck and struck the back of the Jeep, he said.
Ransford and his friend claimed White tried to smash the left-side passenger window of the Jeep and also tried to hit them with the antlers, reports state. Both differ on what happened next: Either White deliberately struck Ransford's Jeep or Ransford pulled his Jeep around to block White from leaving and White pushed the Jeep out of the way with his truck so he could flee.
Ransford told investigators he pursued White's truck to Starr Avenue, saying he wanted to get his license plate number. When he caught up with him, Ransford struck White's truck with his Jeep and White fired a pistol, leaving a bullet hole in Ransford's windshield, reports state.
According to White, Ransford rammed him once and was preparing to do so a second time when he grabbed the gun. "When I realized I couldn't run any further, that's when I got my weapon and drew it," White said.
Ransford claimed the shot was fired first and he then lost control of his Jeep leading to the collision, but a witness disputed this, saying the crash occurred before the shot was fired, reports state. Ransford, of the 2100 block of Valencia Avenue, was charged with aggravated battery with a motor vehicle and could not be reached for comment Thursday.
White, of the 200 block of Dusk Way, was charged with aggravated assault. He said he felt he used poor judgment in grabbing the antlers, but bristled at the idea of people making jokes at his expense.
"It's a **** frightening experience," he said. "I was in fear for my life."
By DEREK SIMMONSEN AND WILL GREENLEE
staff writers
December 15, 2006
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Rush-hour disputes on U.S. 1 aren't unusual, but rarely do they involve deer antlers.
The men involved gave differing accounts of the incident, which occurred about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday near U.S. 1 and Midway Road, according to sheriff's office reports. Keith Ransford, 23, told investigators he and another man were driving north on U.S. 1 in a Jeep Cherokee when a red truck tried to run them off the road. One witness said she saw the truck driving "aggressively" on U.S. 1 before the incident, weaving in and out of traffic.
The truck's driver, Ronny White, 35, said Thursday the Jeep was driving close behind him and cut him off as he tried to change lanes before pulling ahead of him. He said Ransford then slammed on his brakes and both vehicles stopped in the middle of U.S. 1, with the drivers getting out and exchanging words.
White said they got back into their vehicles, but met again at the stoplight at the intersection with Midway Road, where he said Ransford began motioning for him to fight. He grabbed a pair of deer antlers, which he uses for calling deer during hunting season, got out of his truck and struck the back of the Jeep, he said.
Ransford and his friend claimed White tried to smash the left-side passenger window of the Jeep and also tried to hit them with the antlers, reports state. Both differ on what happened next: Either White deliberately struck Ransford's Jeep or Ransford pulled his Jeep around to block White from leaving and White pushed the Jeep out of the way with his truck so he could flee.
Ransford told investigators he pursued White's truck to Starr Avenue, saying he wanted to get his license plate number. When he caught up with him, Ransford struck White's truck with his Jeep and White fired a pistol, leaving a bullet hole in Ransford's windshield, reports state.
According to White, Ransford rammed him once and was preparing to do so a second time when he grabbed the gun. "When I realized I couldn't run any further, that's when I got my weapon and drew it," White said.
Ransford claimed the shot was fired first and he then lost control of his Jeep leading to the collision, but a witness disputed this, saying the crash occurred before the shot was fired, reports state. Ransford, of the 2100 block of Valencia Avenue, was charged with aggravated battery with a motor vehicle and could not be reached for comment Thursday.
White, of the 200 block of Dusk Way, was charged with aggravated assault. He said he felt he used poor judgment in grabbing the antlers, but bristled at the idea of people making jokes at his expense.
"It's a **** frightening experience," he said. "I was in fear for my life."
