Road rage incident leads to crash, injury and arrests

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Here’s a case in point.

According to a statement from the California Highway Patrol, motorcyclist Stephen Allen McDowell, 27, of Susanville, allegedly engaged in a verbal and physical altercation and assaulted a construction worker near Fredonyer Summit on Highway 36 about 8:46 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, McDowell then rode around the traffic controls and headed east on Highway 36.

One of the construction workers, Richard Massie, 56, left the construction zone in a Ford F-150 pickup and attempted to catch up to the motorcycle. Near Highway 36 and Eagle Lake Road, Massie caught up with McDowell. While passing the motorcycle, Massie drove the F-150 into the left side of the motorcycle, causing  McDowell to lose control resulting in the a collision with the ground. McDowell sustained moderate injuries as a result of the crash.

Massie was evaluated at the scene and was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, causing injury to another and assault with a deadly weapon.

Officers also determined that during the physical altercation on Fredonyer Summit, McDowell physically assaulted one of the construction workers. As a result, a report will be filed with the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office recommending McDowell be charged with assault upon another person.

The California Highway Patrol takes aggressive driving and road rage seriously and will actively  investigate these incidents. Road rage can lead to a six-month driver license suspension and may even lead to misdemeanor or felony charges. If you witness this type of behavior, call 911 and the report the incident.