Who knew that the double-lane drive thru at a fast-food restaurant would trigger a road rage incident leading to a battery arrest? That’s exactly what happened to Howard Carl Wilson, 69, who became so enraged that he punched a passenger in the face in a nearby car.
Winter Haven police say, Wilson was in one lane of the double drive thru at McDonalds at 245 6th Street in Winter Haven, while Brittani Thomas was a passenger in a vehicle in the other lane.
Thomas’ vehicle pulled in front of Wilson’s after ordering. That didn’t sit well with Wilson who began yelling profanities and racial slurs through his window, witnesses told police.
He then got out of his vehicle and approached the passenger side of the vehicle where the victim was sitting. Police say, Thomas opened her door to enquire what the problem was but Wilson continue to yell. Video footage shows Thomas attempting to close her door, with Wilson preventing her from doing so.
Wilson then reached in and punched Thomas in the face, before returning to his van and driving off. He told investigators that he was so angry because the other vehicle cut him off. He said it was “like a road rage incident.”
Wilson was charged with simple battery and booked into the Polk County Jail.
