SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 6, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office has filed an assault charge against a man questioned after a July 26 alleged road rage case in Millcreek.
Richard Jacob Verkaaik 31, now faces one charge of assault, a third-degree felony, “after he allegedly pointed a gun at a motorcyclist on the freeway,” the DA’s news release says.
“The motorcyclist entered I-215 from 4700 South and merged into the left lane in front of the sedan,” the statement says. “The sedan allegedly started tailgating the motorcyclist, so the motorcyclist pulled into the lane to the car’s right. At that point, the sedan pulled in front of the motorcycle, the driver brake-checked it, and the defendant, a passenger in the sedan, allegedly pointed a gun at (the) motorcyclist.
“The motorcyclist pulled over and called law enforcement. When the defendant talked to police, he told them that when the motorcyclist initially pulled in front of them, he had brake-checked the sedan and was swerving in front of them so they could not go around him.”
Potential charges against the driver of the sedan and the motorcyclist will be screened with the Salt Lake City Prosecutor’s Office.
“People need to practice patience when driving on the road,” District Attorney Sim Gill said in the released statement. ” Violence on Salt Lake County roadways is unacceptable. If you are caught in a similar situation, please pull over and contact law enforcement as soon as possible.
“All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”
