Man accused of punching woman in the face in Summit County road rage attack

Photo: Summit County Sheriff’s Office

License plate readers tracked the suspect's vehicle to South Jordan, where he was detained and taken into custody.

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — A man accused of following a woman to a Pace Frontage Road storage facility and punching her in the face was tracked roughly 30 miles to South Jordan after Summit County Sheriff’s Office deputies ran his license plate through plate reader technology, according to the sheriff’s office.

The July 23 confrontation began near the Silver Summit roundabout, according to a sheriff’s office case log. The woman told deputies the other driver cut her off, and that as she continued toward her destination behind his vehicle, he stopped suddenly in the middle of the roadway in what she believed was an attempt to cause a collision.

She drove to a storage unit business on Pace Frontage Road. While she was entering the gate code, the man approached her vehicle, allegedly reached inside and struck her in the face, then left the area, the sheriff’s office said.

She was able to get his license plate number. Using license plate reader technology, deputies located the vehicle after it had left Summit County and traveled to South Jordan.

South Jordan Police officers located and detained the suspect until Summit County deputies arrived. The suspect was then taken into custody and booked into the Summit County Jail on suspicion of assault with a road rage enhancement.

During an interview with deputies, the suspect said they intended to scare the victim by pretending to strike them but did not intend to make physical contact, according to the sheriff’s office.

No formal criminal charges have been filed in the case at this time. The allegations are based on the preliminary investigation, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers to avoid engaging with aggressive motorists, noting that road rage situations can escalate quickly.

Officials recommend drivers:

• Avoid arguing, making gestures, or confronting another driver.
• Create distance from aggressive motorists when possible.
• Do not drive to your home if you believe you are being followed.
• Keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed if another driver approaches aggressively.
• Drive to a safe, populated location or law enforcement facility if you feel threatened and call 911.
• If it can be done safely, note the vehicle description, license plate number, direction of travel, and other identifying information.

“The safest response is to disengage, create distance, and contact law enforcement when appropriate,” the sheriff’s office said.

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