Local News

Victim Takes Stand In Derry Twp. Road Rage Trial

April 8, 2014 / 4:16 PM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- There was a surprise development late Tuesday in the trial for the suspect in an alleged road rage incident back in 2011.

The victim took the stand earlier in the day, testifying he was hit with a metal pipe while being pushed off the road.

The defense was supposed to begin its case Wednesday; however, after hearing what the prosecution laid out, late today the defendant decided to plead guilty.

Testimony began with the victim, Robert Vasos, taking the stand.

At times, he angrily recalled the May of 2011 incident on Route 22 in Derry Township.

Vasos said the driver of a silver Prius, later identified as the defendant Craig Woodward, wouldn't let him pass and hit the brakes in front of him.

The incident culminated with Vasos testifying that Woodward rolled down the driver's side window and beat Vasos with a stick as he allegedly tried to force Vasos into a cement jersey barrier, then to the other side of the road.

Both vehicles would eventually stop.

"I was so mad I was gonna pull him out of the car beat him up," said Vasos. "Whatever was gonna happen was gonna happen. It was fight or flight; I believed he was trying to kill me."

Also taking the stand was Pastor William Ellis.

Ellis and his wife, Teresa, were on their way to a wedding when they said they witnessed the incident.

"It was alarming. I thought I was gonna see a dead motorcyclist on the road," said Pastor Ellis.

"I felt like all of our lives were in danger," Teresa said. "I saw the driver hitting the cyclist with some kind of silver stick on the arm as he drove him toward the jersey barrier."

Woodward pleaded guilty late Tuesday, after the prosecution wrapped its case. He will be sentenced Wednesday.

He is charged with aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.

The jury has been sent home.

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