Trucker Convicted In Edens Road Rage Killing
UPDATED 11/19/10 12:17 p.m.
A Wisconsin trucker is headed to prison for the stabbing death of another trucker.
CHICAGO (CBS) - A Wisconsin truck driver is facing as long as 60 years in prison for the road-rage stabbing of a fellow trucker on the side of the Edens Expressway.
The defendant, David Seddon, 49, of Racine, Wis., admitted to knifing Alan Lauritzen last Jan. 15 after they both pulled off on the Edens, but says he was acting in self-defense.
Seddon was convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday after a 2-day trial in Cook County Circuit Court.
Illinois State Police said a motorist called about 10:42 a.m. on Jan. 15, to report two men involved an "altercation" near two 18-wheel semi parked on the shoulder of the Edens just below the Tower Road overpass near Northfield.
Soon after, another motorist stopped to give first aid to a man he found lying unconscious on the pavement beside a truck. By then, the second truck was gone.
The stair step to the truck's cab showed streams of blood, and blood was pooled on the pavement in front of the truck cab.
Lauritzen, 40, of Sparta, Wis., was pronounced dead a short time later at Highland Park Hospital. He had suffered a punctured lung and a severed aorta.
During bond proceedings, prosecutors said the men were arguing over the CB radio and Seddon began tailgating Lauritzen's truck. Seddon then pulled over and began a physical fight, during which he took out a buck knife and stabbed Lauritzen.
Seddon then drove off north in his truck, throwing the knife into a landfill near Racine, court records indicate.
But during his trial, Seddon testified that he only stopped because he wanted to talk to Lauritzen.
The case is continued to Dec. 15 for sentencing.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
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