A Bonita Springs man was arrested after he allegedly got out of his vehicle at a stoplight and began attacking a 72-year-old bicyclist in the middle of an intersection Monday evening.
At around 6:55 p.m., Lee County deputies responded to a physical disturbance at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road and US-41.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies spoke with the bicyclist who said he was crossing US-41 with other bikers in the crosswalk when a sedan was speeding and slammed on the brakes to avoid running the red light. The vehicle stopped on the crosswalk and another bicyclist crashed into the vehicle.
The victim told deputies that the bicyclist involved in the collision got back on his bike and left. The driver of the sedan, later identified as 35-year-old Andrew North, got out of his vehicle while holding a small dog. The victim was standing up and holding his bike when he was pushed to the ground by North, who was yelling incoherently. During the fall, the bicyclist cut his leg on the bike chain.
While still on the ground, North began hitting the bicyclist. The victim was able to get up during the attack and put North in a headlock. North allegedly bit the bicyclist in the chest during the scuffle, according to the report.
After the confrontation, North got back into his vehicle and drove away from the scene. The bicyclist was able to take a picture of his license plate.
Later that night, North wasn’t exactly trying to turn himself in when he called 911 and got in touch with LCSO. He told the sheriff’s office that he had lost his dog and was now back at his Bonita Springs apartment.
According to LCSO, deputies responded to North’s residence and he was detained. The bicyclist identified North as the driver who had attacked him. Deputies also spoke with witnesses from the scene who were able to confirm what happened during the incident.
North faces a battery charge. He was taken to the Lee County Jail and has since bonded out.
Deputies were unable to find North’s dog during a search at the US-41 and Bonita Beach Rd intersection. Animal Control has been notified, LCSO said.
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Source: Nbc-2
