A traffic dispute near Cobb Parkway spiraled into a brutal Smyrna attack, leaving a man in his 50s hospitalized after police say he was punched, knocked down and pistol-whipped. Investigators are now trying to identify the male passenger accused of carrying out the beating.
Authorities released video footage and a photo of 18-year-old Hayle Kirkpatrick as they continue investigating the late-June incident, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Police say the violence began after one vehicle cut off another near Cumberland Boulevard and Cobb Parkway.
The driver of a black car later noticed a silver vehicle following him into his apartment complex. When he approached the silver car to speak with its passenger, police said the passenger punched him repeatedly in the face, knocked him to the ground and struck him with a firearm.
Police Have Warrant For Silver-Car Driver
The victim managed to get back up before collapsing again and was taken to a hospital for surgery. Smyrna police issued an arrest warrant for Kirkpatrick on an obstruction charge after investigators said she refused to identify the passenger and drove away with him after the attack.
Unknown Passenger Could Face Assault Charges
Investigators have not publicly identified the man accused of the beating. Police said he will face aggravated assault and aggravated battery charges once he is located and arrested, while authorities are asking the public to help identify him from the released footage.
Road Rage Continues To Fuel Metro Atlanta Violence
The Smyrna case follows other metro Atlanta road-rage incidents in which traffic disputes escalated into shootings or serious injuries. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last year that a series of violent encounters had raised concerns about how quickly everyday driving frustrations can turn dangerous.
