[url]http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/07/18/loc_two_charged_in_road.html[/url]
[b]Two charged in 'road rage' during funeral procession [/b]
By The Associated Press
SANDUSKY, Ohio - A mourner fed up with an impatient driver cutting in and out of a funeral procession got out of his car and punched the man and his car, police said.
“Twenty-one years, it's the first time I've ever seen anything like that - road rage in a funeral procession,” said Perkins Township Police Chief Tim McClung.
Michael Mullins, 33, of Tipp City, allegedly jumped out of his car as the 30-car procession stopped Monday at an intersection and ran toward the other car.
He first began punching the Camaro, breaking its windshield and T-top. Then he punched the driver and shoved him into the windshield. “He did some serious damage to the car,” Chief McClung said.
Mr. Mullins was charged with assault and vandalism.
The driver of the other car, Robert Buathier, 35, of Sandusky, was cited for failure to yield for a funeral procession.
Margaret Atkins, who was driving in the funeral procession for Jimmie Hatfield of Monroeville, said Mr. Mullins was very close to his uncle.
“This boy loved his uncle and wanted to preserve his honor right up to the end,” she said. “In a natural sense, his first reaction was, "No, you are not going to dishonor my uncle and my aunt.”'
Witnesses told police that Mr. Buathier had cut in and out of the procession several times.
“I don't think Mr. Mullins was the only one upset with him,” Chief McClung said.
The first time the Camaro cut into the procession, Mr. Mullins yelled at the driver.
The other driver then responded with an obscene hand gesture, police said.
Ms. Atkins said the car barreled into the line behind her.
“I thought he was going to hit my rear end, and I screamed,” she said. “He ducked in so quickly.”
Chief McClung said Mr. Buathier “was in a hurry to get home. He was on a lunch break.”