Many car accidents are simply that — accidents. However, Texas police claim that an elderly man intentionally struck a motorcycle with his vehicle, injuring two people in the process. The state crime charges the driver now faces are both felonies.
The incident was caught on camera by a trailing motorcycle rider and apparently witnessed by a trooper with the Texas Department of Public safety, neither of whom were involved in the crash. The video appears to depict the motorcycle driver crossing a double yellow line while in the process of illegally passing two cars in front of him. The second car that the biker tried to pass swerved out of its lane and also crossed the double yellow line, striking the motorcycle and throwing both of its occupants. The car driver later claimed that a spider had crawled onto his groin and bit him, which — according to him — was what caused the vehicle to swerve.
Other than a possible bug bite, the 68-year-old driver was not injured in the wreck. However, the motorcycle driver and his passenger were both injured. Only the passenger suffered injuries serious enough to require ongoing hospitalization, which was apparently necessary for a broken arm.
The elderly driver remained behind bars and did not immediately post bail — which was set at $75,000 — for each of his state crime charges. In total, he faces two separate counts of aggravated assault by a deadly weapon. A felony charge can net serious legal consequences for a defendant if convicted, many of which have life-long implications. For most defendants in Texas, approaching possible defense options in a timely manner is an astute strategy for ultimately achieving the best outcome possible.
Source: star-telegram.com, “DPS trooper says man appeared to hit motorcycle on purpose in Granbury crash“, Monica S. Nagy, Oct. 20, 2015
