Road-rage beating victim: 'I'll be a different person'
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SPANAWAY, Wash. -- Scott Bradford says the road-rage incident that put in the hospital for days began with tailgating.
On Tuesday -- nine days after a brutal beating broke nearly every bone in Bradford's face -- Bradford was discharged from the hospital and finally able to tell his story.
"For all he knows, he killed me. He left me for dead," he said of his attacker.
The incident happened last Monday in Spanaway. Bradford said his attacker was driving dangerously close behind him on Pacific Avenue. Bradford tapped his brakes, hoping to get the man to ease back, but the man kept on.
"I finally pulled over," said Bradford, adding the other driver followed him.
As soon as he got out of his car, the man began punching and kicking him in the face and head, Bradford said. The victim can't make sense of the beating he endured.
"What the hell's the matter with you? What makes a man do that to somebody else?" he said.
Bradford said the incident has changed him forever.
"It's making me take a better look at myself, I think, and people in general," he said.
It is also making him reflect.
"Few years back, I got in a wreck. I hit a motorcycle in the road, and I killed a guy," he said.
In 2006, Bradford served two years for the fatal drunk-driving crash. The victim's mother "forgave me, like, instantly," said Bradford.
The woman even sent a care basket to Bradford's hospital room.
"It makes me feel like I don't deserve that," he said.
All the pain he's caused and the pain he's now in have both transformed Bradford.
"I'll be a different person, emotionally and mentally," he said.
He is hoping to find that same forgiveness for the man who nearly killed him.
"I would forgive him, sure," he said. "You have to."
No arrests have been made in the road-rage incident. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest.
On Tuesday -- nine days after a brutal beating broke nearly every bone in Bradford's face -- Bradford was discharged from the hospital and finally able to tell his story.
"For all he knows, he killed me. He left me for dead," he said of his attacker.
The incident happened last Monday in Spanaway. Bradford said his attacker was driving dangerously close behind him on Pacific Avenue. Bradford tapped his brakes, hoping to get the man to ease back, but the man kept on.
"I finally pulled over," said Bradford, adding the other driver followed him.
As soon as he got out of his car, the man began punching and kicking him in the face and head, Bradford said. The victim can't make sense of the beating he endured.
"What the hell's the matter with you? What makes a man do that to somebody else?" he said.
Bradford said the incident has changed him forever.
"It's making me take a better look at myself, I think, and people in general," he said.
It is also making him reflect.
"Few years back, I got in a wreck. I hit a motorcycle in the road, and I killed a guy," he said.
In 2006, Bradford served two years for the fatal drunk-driving crash. The victim's mother "forgave me, like, instantly," said Bradford.
The woman even sent a care basket to Bradford's hospital room.
"It makes me feel like I don't deserve that," he said.
All the pain he's caused and the pain he's now in have both transformed Bradford.
"I'll be a different person, emotionally and mentally," he said.
He is hoping to find that same forgiveness for the man who nearly killed him.
"I would forgive him, sure," he said. "You have to."
No arrests have been made in the road-rage incident. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest.
I don't trust old white men that look like they from Deliverance. They the kind that use the n-word. Brotha was probably just defended heself from this old racist.
@dollabiIIz2@yahoo.com Â
*facepalm*
Some person engages me in a road rage incident.. NOT STOPPING!!NOT PULLING OVER!!EVER!!
I wish the reporter would have asked Bradford why he got out of his car.
Not worth to fight,beside you never know what that person would do to you,
and he might have an AR16 pointing at you ! ! Don't you want to go home to see your family ?
@scychan
Nice keep that gun paranoia alive. And good job because we all know the AR-15 is an easy to carry and conceal personal defense weapon, first choice of all of us crazy conceal and carry types.
Now maybe a 9mm or 45 Glock or Ruger or S&W, yes then one might get a tad nervous about having started a game of road rage with a nut job. Itâs the nutter behind the wheel tailgating and his clearly deranged mental state one has to worry about, not the model of gun.
Maybe a law against the size of a fist would have prevented this?
@scychan You mean AR-15? You're one of those "anti gun" nuts....aren't you.
@Harley-H.S.C. LOL - I think he meant the AK-1911. You know, the one that can shoot down an A-10.
I'm caught between sympathy and wishing this guy wasn't such a crappy driver.
It always surprises me when people contribute to the escalation of a conflict (whether they were the aggressor or not) and then are surprised when things turn out badly.  Turn the other cheek, be the better person.  It's not worth it to risk your life over such inconsequential things.
I carry and I don't escalate. If someone wants to get by me, I let them. Some times I have to grit my teeth, but I don't let others pick a fight with me if I can help it. If someone insists, I am ready, but I never would start it or rise to the bait. Â
@oldster70 Yup, pride is a lousy reason to get your butt in a sling.
Looking at this guys past driving history, I have a hard time believing that this guy didn't instigate the beating he received. More likely he got out to confront and possibly throw a beating on the other guy, only that guy was a better fighter. If you are truly concerned for your safety drive off, go to a public place or better yet a police station. Tailgating isn't worth your life.
This is why I carry road spikes with me.They work great!
I'm glad he's maybe learned the lesson to drive more carefully but he paid a pretty hefty price for that lesson. Beating him unconscious was completely unnecessary  but a good butt kicking once in a while is a good way to have your attitude corrected.
@Blindman Driving more carefully? The article never stated he was driving recklessly or illegally. He did what most people would do. Pulling over was probably just to let the guy go around him. I find it interesting most people here are blaming him for the beating, yet according to the article he did nothing wrong.Â
@snow surfer Maybe because the article says that he killed a motorcyclist on the road a few years ago.
I was driving in Kent a while back and some guy pulled up and started tailgating me like crazy. After about 20 seconds of it, I pulled over to let him pass because my feeling is you never know why they are in a hurry..They could have someone in the car who needs to go to the hospital. Well, the guy pulled over too and pulled up behind me. I started driving again and he got behind me again.  That's when I realized I'm in some trouble. I turned around really quickly and he slammed on the breaks and watched me go the other way.  It was the most jacked up thing I've ever seen.  You have to be careful out there. Some of these guys are just looking to fight or kill.Â
If someone needs to get hospital in a hurry, instead of driving dangerously they could call for ambulance. Yes, sometimes people are just crazy and looking for trouble.Â
There is a lesson here. Call 911 and tell them that you are being followed and are in fear for your life/safety. DO NOT STOP. Keep driving, heading toward a police or fire station, if possible. Again, DO NOT STOP.
I would be different too....but I'd be coping w/ the reality of having taken the dirtbags life w/ a half dozen rounds center mass.
I would recover quickly.
About 12 rounds of personal protection would've served this gentleman well.Â
@HawkEye Not pulling over - even easier.