Reported Road Rage Incident Ends with Arrest of Lake County Deputy

Thomas Jones Thompson, a Lake County sheriff’s detention deputy, has been arrested following an alleged road rage incident that occurred Monday night. According to police statements, Charles Christopher and his wife Sarah had just left Taco Bell on US 441 in Mount Dora, when Thompson pulled up next to them. Thompson then ordered them to pull over. Because Thompson was driving his personal vehicle with no police markings, the couple did not believe him to be law enforcement. Thompson told the couple he had witnessed their vehicle running two stop signs and then pointed a gun at them.

Christopher told police that he shouted an expletive at Thompson and drove on. Thompson following Christopher’s vehicle, swerving at them and demanding that they pull over. At some point during the car chase, Christopher pulled a burrito out and threw it at Thompson’s car.

Thompson insists that Christopher was driving erratically and that he had pulled up and shown his ID and wanted to know if they were okay. He stated that Christopher shouted obscenities at him and tried to force him off the road. Thompson also stated that he called the Sheriff’s Office to report the incident to authorities. As part of this report, he told police that his car was equipped with a siren and emergency lights. An inspection of Thompson’s vehicle showed that these were not police issue and furthermore, Thompson had been previously reprimanded in 2013 for taking out patrol cars for longer than he was authorized. Thompson was arrested for aggravated assault and improper use of a firearm.

While at first glance this article tells a story that may seem slightly amusing, there is a very serious issues at play. The issue is road rage incidents, which result in hundreds of accidents every year on Florida’s highways. A situation that may start out with an innocent mistake on the part of one driver can send another driver into a rage that impacts all other motorists in his path. The rage-induced driver can take his emotions out by cutting off other motorists, shouting or screaming, or perhaps even intentionally causing an accident for unwitting victims. These accident may result in serious injury to others because the raged driver cannot control his or her emotions.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a road rage incident that resulted in bodily injury, the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. would like to speak with you. Our team of personal injury specialists will help you get the compensation you have been fighting for. Please give us a call today at 888-FLA-AUTO (888-352-2886) for more information.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.