Road Rage Driver Tries to Kill Cyclist on Hood of Car

From The Oregonian:

Portland police arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of chasing down a cyclist Sunday and driving off at a high rate of speed -- with the cyclist hanging onto the hood.

James F. Millican was arrested on attempted second-degree assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants, third-degree criminal mischief and reckless driving.

According to a police account, the incident began when the cyclist, Jason Scott Rehnberg, 37, yelled at Millican to slow down as they were traveling near Southeast 58th Avenue and Washington Street, police said. Rehnberg told police that "his remarks may have included profanity," according to a news release.

Millican, angered by the cyclist's remarks, started to chase Rehnberg in his car, police said. Rehnberg biked into the neighborhood to avoid him. After waiting, he returned to Southeast 58th Avenue, police said.

Millican saw the cyclist and allegedly backed his car up to hit Rehnberg, who jumped off the bike just before it was struck by the car, police said.

Rehnberg and two other witnesses tried to block the car, saying they wanted to get the license plate. Millican allegedly drove at the three and struck Rehnberg, who was thrown onto the hood. Rehnberg held onto the windshield wipers as the car traveled at a high rate of speed and took a turn.

The car slowed down enough to let Rehnberg off at Southeast 60th Avenue, police said. He was not injured, according to police. A witness, who videotaped the event, turned the recording over to police.

Hometowns were not immediately available for either man.

Millican was arraigned today on charges of second-degree kidnapping (presumably for the ride on the car) DUII, Reckless Driving and second-degree criminal mischief.

The next court date is July 22. Millican asked the judge: "So I have to stay in jail now...for a whole week?"

The report comes just days after another high-profile road rage incident in which a driver, who also is a longtime cycling advocate, chided a cyclist for blowing through a stop sign. The cyclist responded by throwing his bike at the motorist's car and then allegedly striking the driver with the bike.

The incident sparked hundreds of comments to online sites, reflecting tension between cyclists and motorists about how to share the road. Many of the comments complained about how the incident was covered. Read more reaction at BikePortland.org.


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-- Helen Jung; helenjung@news.oregonian.com

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• road
• rage
• portland
• Millican
• Scott
• Rehnberg
• car
• hood

[devonmale69]

this video is a set up, why would you be filming the street not knowing what was about to come done it.....

[pdxktv]

@devonmale69 You outta tell the DA that!! He successfully used the video to convict the driver.

[TheBbergner86]

Nobody just runs down a bike for no reason!

The bike must have been doing something

[pdxktv]

@TheBbergner86 According to a police account, the incident began when the cyclist, Jason Scott Rehnberg, 37, yelled at Millican to slow down as they were traveling near Southeast 58th Avenue and Washington Street, police said. Rehnberg told police that "his remarks may have included profanity," according to a news release.

[alextact]

Makes sense to me. Cyclists taking the lane force people in motor vehicles to wait for a chance to perform a legal overtaking maneuver, instead of gambling with the life of cyclists by passing with an inch to spare. Funny how in a public place, a person will be happy to spend 5 seconds holding the door open for another person so it doesn't hit them on the nose, yet in a car, waiting 10 seconds for a safe opportunity to pass a cyclist so as not to kill them, is an absurd and unreasonable request?

[alextact]

Typical response from a 23 year old male. I don't cycle. I ride a motorbike and drive a car. Occasionally I drive a volunteer rescue truck out to fatal car crashes on highways. Such crashes are usually caused by drivers performing risky manuvers due to impatience... risking their lives, the lives of their family, the lives of others, all to try to get home 30 seconds faster. Impatience kills. Slow down, back off, cool off, accept that you don't own the road, you have to share it with everyone.

[konatown5]

good job we need more men like this. fuck people on bikes

[sepdx08]

way to go jimmy!



[finight9]

@TheBbergner86 People run down bikes because they are selfish sociopath assholes and it hurts there pride o "have to" respect a "cyclist". FUCK YOU B BERGNER!

[SpardaTheDamneD]

@rufusvonstorm lol

[SpardaTheDamneD]

@MisterBinx Oh im sure (rolls eyes...licks lips)

[SpardaTheDamneD]

@alextact You cant change how angry people drive. fuck cyclists anyway

[SpardaTheDamneD]

@alextact Some people just get really pissed driving cars, i think cyclists should try and understand that so they dont have to taunt these rage machines into plowing them over. Because it will happen. So it comes down to eliminating the road rage of billions of drivers or cyclists taking alternate routes that dont involve biking in the middle of a street.

[deadtofall]

i hope they crash for being so fucking super