A North Carolina man allegedly threatened to kill a woman and her 3-year-old son during a road rage incident on Interstate 85, authorities say.
Background
According to the Greensboro Police Department, the incident occurred on July 31 when a woman was driving with her child on Interstate 85 in North Carolina. The defendant, Christopher John Walters, 48, had cut off the woman's vehicle, and she responded by honking at him, the victim told WFMY News 2.
The confrontation escalated as captured in video that circulated online. In the footage, Walters can be seen speeding up to pull alongside the woman's vehicle and allegedly making multiple verbal threats while screaming at her through his window.
The Investigation
Police say Walters allegedly made two specific threats during the encounter: 'You are going to die' and 'I could kill you.' According to a warrant issued in the case, each threat was made three times. Authorities stated that 'the threat was made in a manner and under circumstances which would cause a reasonable person to believe that the threat was likely to be carried out and the person threatened believed that the threat would be carried out.'
The victim called 911 to report the incident, prompting an investigation by the Greensboro Police Department. Court records reviewed by Law&Crime show Walters has been charged with misdemeanor communicating threats in connection to this case.
Additional Charges
Walters was arrested on Thursday on a separate charge of assault of a female in High Point, North Carolina. In that case, authorities allege he pushed a woman 'into a dresser, causing a bruise to her arm.' At the time a detective met with the road rage victim to take her statement, Walters was already incarcerated at the High Point Jail on the unrelated assault charge.
Key Takeaways
- Christopher John Walters, 48, has been charged with misdemeanor communicating threats for allegedly threatening a woman and her 3-year-old son on Interstate 85
- The defendant allegedly told the mother 'You are going to die' and 'I could kill you,' each threat made three times according to court documents
- The confrontation was captured on video that circulated online, which police say shows Walters speeding up to confront the victim
- A detective met with the victim while Walters was already incarcerated at High Point Jail on a separate assault charge involving a different woman
- Police allege in the unrelated case that Walters pushed another woman into furniture, causing visible injury
What's Next
Walters is next scheduled to appear in court on September 8 for the communicating threats charge. His status regarding the separate assault of a female charge remains pending through the High Point case. The Greensboro Police Department continues its investigation into the road rage incident.