On Saturday, April 16, 2022, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney issued a warrant of arrest for; 43 year old, Danny R Brackey, II, of Mascoutah, charging him with Aggravated Battery-Great Bodily Harm, a Class 3 felony. Brackey’s bond has been set at $75,000 (10% Cash). He remains in custody at the St. Clair County Jail.
The charges stem from a road rage incident from this past Thursday, which began in O’Fallon and ended on the T.G.I. Friday’s parking lot, with the victim, 54 year old, Robert C Kurdziel, of East Alton, IL, being struck by Brackey’s vehicle. Brackey left the scene and later phoned police and provided his whereabouts.
From eye witness accounts, police learned Kurdziel drove to Lotawata Creek, when he noticed that Brackey had followed him but pulled over on the T.G.I. Friday’s parking lot. Kurdziel, who was traveling with his wife, told her to get them a table within the restaurant while he walked over to talk to Brackey about what had occurred in O’Fallon. The two men engaged in a heated exchange, resulting in Kurdziel walking away from Brackey, who allegedly drove his vehicle into the back of Kurdziel. Kurdziel was rushed by ambulance to a St. Louis-area hospital with life-threatening injuries. He remains hospitalized, in stable condition.
Police throughout the country have seen incidents of road rage rise sharply for the past several years. In 2016, the amount of injuries or deaths associated with a road rage incident were just over 30%. In 2021, that percentage grew to over 60%. Police urge motorists to drive with caution, stay calm while driving, don’t engage other motorists who are driving aggressively, be the grownup, and always call police instead of confronting an angry driver. If you feel you are being followed by an aggressive driver, drive to your local police station or to an officer out on patrol.
*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.