Road rage incident leads to felony assault charge in Batesville

A local man faces a felony assault charge after police say he pointed a loaded revolver at another driver during a road rage incident Saturday morning that was partially captured on video.

Michael Wayne Fraley, 50, of Batesville, was arrested Feb. 7 on one count of aggravated assault, a Class D felony, according to Independence County Circuit Court records.

The incident began as a traffic dispute on Harrison Street. The victim told investigators he then pulled into the bank parking lot on Eagle Mountain Boulevard because he knew the area was equipped with surveillance cameras.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Fraley followed the driver to the bank’s ATM line, exited his truck, and aggressively approached the other vehicle while shouting profanities. Witness accounts and cell phone footage recorded by a bank employee allegedly show Fraley reaching into the truck to grab the driver.

The driver told police he attempted to open his glove box to retrieve his own weapon for protection, at which point Fraley allegedly drew a handgun and held it to his head.

Fraley later told responding officers he followed the victim because he was angry and feared for the safety of his son, who was a passenger in his truck. While Fraley claimed he only drew his weapon after the other driver reached for the glove box, witnesses reported that Fraley was the primary aggressor.

Officers recovered a loaded .357 revolver from Fraley’s residence after he and his wife provided written consent for a search. Fraley was transported to the Independence County detention center after he gave a statement to police.

Image: Independence County Sheriff’s Office