Bruce Hunter Rohr is a 22-year-old resident of Belvedere Lane in Palm Coast. He was driving on Belle Terre Parkway Tuesday night when, according to Rohr, a vehicle driven by Andrew S, a 53-year-old Palm Coast resident, swerved and almost crashed into him. Within hours, both Rohr and Andrew had been treated at AdventHealth Palm Coast for injuries they inflicted on each other and Rohr was being booked at the Flagler County jail on a felony aggravated battery charge.
Speaking to Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies, Andrew described the incident as originating with a minor case of road rage on Belle Terre. It happened that both men stopped at the Circle K on Palm Coast Parkway. They had a verbal confrontation that started outside the business and continued inside, but could have ended there. Andrew checked out and made his way back to his vehicle, only to see Rohr running toward him, then tackling him with such force that it left a dent on his vehicle.
Rohr described it differently. He told deputies that when Andrew left the store, he threw a cup of coffee on his (Rohr’s) vehicle, so he confronted him again, verbally, before Andrew allegedly threw a punch with a closed fist that landed on Rohr’s face, causing a minor injury. In retaliation, Rohr returned what his arrest report describes as “an excessive amount of strikes.” Andrew told deputies that after he got tackled, Rohr threw him to the ground and “began striking/kicking him multiple times while still on the ground,” according to the arrest report. Andrew “suffered serious bodily injuries which consisted of stitches on top of his head as well as bruising to his body and injury to his pelvis and several scratches all over his body.” A Flagler County Fire Rescue ambulance took Andrew to AdventHealth. Rohr had a laceration above an eye.
There was surveillance video. It shows Rohr “sprint in the direction of Andrew’s vehicle and proceeded to show [Rohr] return back to his vehicle attempting to leave the scene.” But the report does not describe whether surveillance video captured the confrontation at Andrew’s vehicle.
In the absence of such video, the case would have to rely on the words of the participants. Rohr isn’t disputing that a severe confrontation took place, but he is casting it as a response to a thrown punch. The State Attorney’s Office is usually reluctant to prosecute such cases, as even reduced charges might be difficult to prove in court. Deputies secured a witness statement from the manager of the Circle K, but it isn’t clear if the statement addresses the confrontation at the two men’s vehicles after they left the store.
Rohr has retained private attorney David Shekhter of Politis and Matovina, the Palm Coast law firm. He was booked on $2,500 bond, which he was expected to post today.
Jim says
Can’t we just all get along. In other words, grow up!
Mark says
So why was only the young gentlemen arrested and not the old swervy driver? It clearly states there was no video or witness to the first punch, so I guess if you stand up for yourself against an attack an happen to win, you will be arrested? Or is it just because he was young?
JustMe says
Grow Up.
MikeM says
Two tough guys arguing over nothing.
Put them both in jail for a 3 night sleepover. Maybe these 2 numb nuts will learn their lesson.
Lance Carroll says
No shortage of road rage out there….
The Geode says
1. There is NO WAY both people just “happened” to be at the Circle K at the same time. That store is too much of a pain in the butt to ingress and egress unless you “really have to go there”. the odds of TWO people having to “really have to go there” after road rage is laughable.
2. That is why I carry in case some “wanna-be tough guy” decides he wants to try his “toughness” on me. I’m too old to take punches or fight with 20-year-olds…
Damien says
Always so much better to just walk away, that store has everyone pretty pissed off to get into the parking lot in the first place.
Dennis C Rathsam says
This is the start, of the new Palm Coast…more homes, more people, more crime, more & violence. Respect has left the city…Our once quiet city is now over whelmed with more problems, and no answers..Yessserie we added more deputes, pretty soon we,ll add some more!
Steve says
In this Day and Age one is playing Roulette getting involved with something as meaningless as Road Rage grow up move on and live
Chloe A says
My boyfriend is who was working with him.
The old man picked a fight, and he ran to get his plate numbers so he could press assault charges accordingly. The old man however was not a willing participant after assaulting my brother in law. Ridiculous… really. Sad that this is a smear campaign against someone defending themselves from an unruly older gentleman.
A.j says
Sad situation. A reflection of the world. Fight first and negotiate later. Thank GOD no body was killed.
Ryan wittieman says
I almost just got killed by an elder in Palm Coast age doesn’t matter you can be any age and still be a child in the head I was beaten with a hammer and practically stabbed!!! But a 66 year old man I was afraid if I shot him I woulda got in trouble or I woulda got battery on a person over 65 but hey I’m a taxpayer he’ll be getting 3 meals a day I can’t work without my hand.. I use to respect my elders but these bonds who ever comes up with these really needs help the mental insane get 100k for animal cruelty yet attempted murders who have violent passes get same bond where can we start this protest. Sad to know a lot more 16-30 year old are coming into palm coast why… well it’s a nice place to raise a family you old bags can retire down south if you can’t afford should of worked harder up north or smarter.