A Batesville man has been sentenced to probation after admitting to pointing a gun at another driver’s head during a road rage incident earlier this year.
Michael Wayne Fraley, 50, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of aggravated assault, a Class D felony, according to court records. Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Judge sentenced Fraley to 36 months of probation and ordered him to avoid any contact with the victim. Fraley must also pay court costs and fines in monthly installments of $100.
The altercation occurred on Saturday, Feb. 7, in the parking lot of First Community Bank on Eagle Mountain Boulevard. According to an affidavit, a witness told investigators they saw two vehicles driving erratically on Harrison Street near the Hampton Inn and began to follow them. The vehicles ended up at the bank's ATM, where Fraley exited his vehicle and approached the other driver.
The witness said Fraley was "extremely irate," cursed at the driver, then drew a handgun and pointed it at the victim's head. After providing Fraley’s license plate number to authorities, the witness later positively identified him as the suspect.
The victim told police the incident began when Fraley honked at him on the road before following him to the bank. The victim said he stopped at the ATM because of the visible security cameras. After approaching his vehicle, Fraley allegedly reached in, grabbed the victim by the throat, and held a gun to his head. The victim said he attempted to retrieve his own firearm from his glove box, but Fraley left the scene after cursing at him once more.
A second witness, an employee at the bank, gave police video footage of the confrontation. The footage reportedly showed Fraley yelling at the victim and raising his right arm inside the other vehicle, as if pointing a weapon. The video also showed a brown leather pistol holster on Fraley’s side as he returned to his vehicle.
Fraley later agreed to speak with investigators after being read his Miranda rights. In his statement to police, Fraley claimed the victim had cut him off in traffic twice, which prompted him to follow the car to "speak to him about his driving." Fraley, who said his son was in the vehicle at the time, admitted to grabbing the victim by the shirt during their argument. He told investigators he drew his firearm when the victim began opening his glove box.
Officers searched Fraley’s home after he consented in writing, locating and securing a loaded .357 revolver.
As part of his sentence, Fraley will continue to be prohibited from making any contact with the victim.