Warren

Road rage suspect faces felony charge

By Brian Louwers
C & G Staff Writer

WARREN — A Fraser man who allegedly threw a brick at another motorist’s car and then ran a woman down when she got out to check for damage was due back in court on July 24.

Jacob Luray Sandling, 20, was arraigned in the 37th District Court on charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and malicious destruction of property on July 13, the day after police said he drove into a woman during an alleged road rage encounter at the corner of 12 Mile and Schoenherr roads.

The woman, a 27-year-old Shelby Township resident, remained in stable condition with various injuries last week, after she was struck by Sandling’s red Chrysler Sebring at about 6:30 p.m. on July 12.

The victim and a passenger were reportedly driving south on Schoenherr, north of 12 Mile, in a black Ford Fusion when Sandling allegedly began driving aggressively behind them. It was not immediately clear what prompted his ire.

According to Detective Sgt. Stephen Mills, the passenger of the victim’s vehicle told police that Sandling, behind the wheel of the Sebring, repeatedly sped up to the bumper of the Fusion as the cars travelled south of Schoenherr. When the cars stopped at the light at 12 Mile, Sandling allegedly threw a brick that struck the Fusion.

Police said the victim exited the vehicle to check for damage and was struck by the Sebring, which was stopped behind her vehicle, when Sandling accelerated. The impact threw her into the air, causing her to fall and strike the roadway.

Sandling allegedly attempted to flee in his vehicle, but was stopped in the parking lot of the adjacent 7-Eleven by Good Samaritans who witnessed the incident.

“He was apprehended by the citizens, who were witnesses,” Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green said. “They witnessed her get hit. They witnessed the guy try to take off. They blocked his car in the parking lot and basically held him until we got there.”

Warren Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported the victim to the hospital. She was later transferred to Providence Hospital in Southfield, where she was treated for a head injury and eventually listed in stable condition.

Sandling was arrested at the scene and charged the following day with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, a 10-year felony, and malicious destruction of property up to $1,000.

He remained held in the Macomb County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond at press time and was scheduled to be back before a judge in Warren on July 24, after the Warren Weekly went to press.

Sandling indicated he would retain legal counsel to represent him, according to court records.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Brian Louwers at brianlouwers@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1089.