A Florida man has been arrested after authorities say he intentionally rammed a family’s SUV off the highway during a road rage incident, sending the vehicle spinning into a barbed-wire fence and forcing the family to flee into nearby brush to escape.
Michael Spires, 36, is facing multiple felony charges, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated child abuse, and reckless driving, following the incident that occurred on Saturday evening in Martin County, Florida.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the victims were a family from North Carolina who were traveling home after a trip to Florida.
Road Rage Began at Gas Station
Investigators said the incident started at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot of a gas station.
According to deputies, Spires began chasing a woman from the North Carolina family while both were at the gas station.
After she left the parking lot, police say Spires followed her onto the highway in his Chevrolet Equinox, initiating what investigators described as a dangerous road rage pursuit.
Authorities have found no evidence that the woman or any member of her family knew Spires before the incident.
Woman Called 911 While Trying to Escape
According to investigators, Spires repeatedly attempted to force the woman’s vehicle off the road.
Fearing for her safety, the woman called 911 while driving.
Police said she eventually managed to escape by driving the wrong way up an exit ramp, creating enough distance between herself and Spires.
Suspect Then Targeted Her Brother’s SUV
After losing the woman’s vehicle, investigators say Spires shifted his attention to her brother, who was traveling behind her in an SUV.
The brother was accompanied by his wife and their young son.
According to the arrest report, Spires aggressively pursued the SUV, throwing objects at it while driving.
Police also allege he repeatedly brake-checked the family’s vehicle and made erratic arm and hand gestures that investigators described as displaying gang signs.
Alleged PIT Maneuver Sent SUV Off the Road
Authorities say the confrontation escalated when Spires intentionally used his SUV to perform a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, striking the family’s vehicle.
The impact caused the SUV to leave the roadway, spin out of control, and crash through a barbed-wire fence.
After the vehicle came to rest, the family fled into nearby brush, fearing Spires would continue attacking them.
Body camera footage released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office later showed deputies locating the family as they emerged from the brush after hiding from the suspect.
Despite the violent crash, authorities said no one inside the SUV suffered serious physical injuries, including the young child.
Suspect Claimed Family Was Stealing His Money
Deputies later located Spires at a Sunoco gas station.
According to body camera footage, Spires claimed that the family’s SUV had actually crashed into his vehicle.
He also alleged that the victims were stealing his money.
Investigators said they found no evidence supporting those claims and determined the victims had no known connection to Spires.
Sheriff Says Suspect Appeared Erratic
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek commented on the unusual nature of the incident.
According to the sheriff, investigators do not yet know what motivated Spires’ actions.
Budensiek said the suspect appeared extremely erratic and may have been under the influence of a stimulant or experiencing a mental health crisis, although investigators had not confirmed either possibility.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the road rage incident remains ongoing.
Stolen Dog Recovered During Arrest
While taking Spires into custody, deputies also discovered a dog inside his vehicle.
According to investigators, the dog had allegedly been stolen from someone Spires had been dating.
Authorities safely returned the animal to its owner.
Charges and Custody
Spires has been charged with:
- Two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon
- Aggravated child abuse
- Reckless driving
He was booked into the Martin County Jail, where he remains in custody.
Court records show his bond has been set at $20,000, and no future court date had been scheduled at the time authorities released the information.
The allegations against Spires remain accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation into the road rage incident is continuing.
