Park Ranger Throws Hot Coffee in Road Rage Incident, Faces Felony
Things can get emotional quickly when driving. Another driver may do something that upsets you, like cutting in front of you or tailgating you. Maybe they honk at you or yell at you.
In these situations, it is always best to ignore the other driver and move on. However, some people get riled up and become very angry. They may throw things, yell, and attempt to crash into another vehicle. Believe it or not, even hot coffee can be considered a deadly weapon in a situation like this, resulting in serious criminal charges.
A Florida park ranger has been charged with aggravated battery and use of a deadly weapon after road rage caused him to throw his cup of coffee out of his window. Florida Highway Patrol was called to I-75 after someone told police that the driver of a pickup truck threw a cup containing an “unknown substance” at them while they were traveling down the highway. The victim also stated that the driver proceeded to “flip him off.”
Troopers arrived at the scene and noticed the “unknown substance” was hot coffee. It was covering both the inside and the outside of the victim’s car, as well as their clothes.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers were quickly able to track down the vehicle and its driver to the State of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection. That was where the 52-year-old man worked as a park ranger at Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park.
The ranger told troopers that when he was driving, the victim caused him to swerve into his lane. That incident allegedly caused him to “drop his cup that he had in his hand out his driver’s side window.”
Troopers stated that when the man dropped the cup of fluids from his open driver’s side window towards the victim’s vehicle, there would be the possibility that the victim could become incapacitated, causing serious bodily injury and or death. This would have been especially possible at high speeds. Troopers placed the ranger under arrest and have charged him with aggravated battery with the use of a deadly weapon, which is a felony.
Legal Ramifications of Road Rage
While road rage itself is not a crime in Florida, a person can still face criminal charges, such as:
- Reckless driving. Driving with disregard for safety, such as tailgating, unsafe passing, or excessive speeding
- Aggressive driving. Committing two or more traffic violations in succession, such as speeding, improper lane changes, or failing to yield
- Threatening another person with words, gestures, or actions
- Physical contact without consent
- Aggravated assault or battery with a weapon. Using a firearm, another weapon, or even a vehicle as a weapon during a road rage incident
- Vehicular manslaughter or homicide. Causing injury or death as a result of reckless or intentional road rage behavior
Contact Us Today
A person can be charged with battery even if they do not physically hit someone. Throwing hot coffee on someone can qualify, as seen in this case.
Causing someone bodily harm can lead to serious criminal charges. Get the help you need from a Fort Myers battery attorney from Hollander & Hanuka. We will help you understand the legal implications of the charges and make sure you get effective legal representation. To schedule a consultation, call (239) 332-3300 or fill out the online form.
Source:
mysuncoast.com/2025/09/26/florida-park-ranger-facing-felony-charge-allegedly-throwing-hot-coffee-during-road-rage-incident/
