Police Search For Suspect In Road Rage Stabbing
MILAN (WWJ) - Police in Washtenaw County have released a sketch of a man who allegedly followed and stabbed another driver in an apparent case of road rage.
The suspect is described as a heavy-set white man, approximately 50-years-old, 5'4" to 5'7″ tall with black scruffy hair and either unshaven or with some scruffy facial hair. Police say the suspect may have facial injuries from being punched during the altercation, which happened last Friday night along US-23 in Milan.
According to police, the victim was driving southbound in the right lane when a dark red compact car started tailgating his SUV near Willis Road. The victim said he slowed down to allow the car to pull around his vehicle, but it just kept tailgating him.
The victim told police he exited the freeway at Carpenter Road in an attempt to shake the suspect, but the man just kept following. The victim said he then pulled into a parking lot driveway on the west side of Dexter Street near Arkona Road and stopped. The suspect apparently followed suit, exited his car and approached the victim's SUV.
The victim told police he got out of his SUV to talk to the suspect when the suspect started to pummeled him repeatedly in the side and abdomen. When the victim's passenger realized his friend was being attacked, he rushed from the SUV and began punching the suspect to try to get him to disengage from the victim, police said.
At that point the suspect backed away, displayed a small folding pocket knife and asked the passenger if he "wanted some of this," according to police. The two men then ran back into the SUV and turned south on Dexter Street. The suspect vehicle exited the driveway, turned north on Dexter Street and was last seen near the US-23 overpass.
Shortly thereafter, the driver realized he had been injured and observed a small puncture wound in his abdominal area. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.
Investigators aren't sure why the suspect started tailgating, but the victim said he could smell alcohol on the man.
The suspect's vehicle is described as a two-door, burgundy to red colored Kia-type compact vehicle.
Anyone who may have witnessed the original traffic altercation or the assault, or who might have any information regarding the suspect or his vehicle, is urged to contact Milan police at 734-439-1551, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
MORE: Man Followed, Stabbed By Another Driver In Apparent Road Rage Incident
