Grand Island road rage incident leads to hate crime charges

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Two people are facing charges following a road rage incident in Grand Island.

Police say it happened just before noon on Saturday at LE Ray Park. A teenage boy told officers that he and a man later identified as Tom Ross, 66, entered the park after a road rage incident on Blaine St. The boy said Ross then approached him brandishing a knife. The boy got out of his car with clenched fists in an attempt to fight. Ross left and tried to drive away, but the boy cut him off. Then, as police arrived, Ross got out of his car with a metal pipe and bottle of chemicals and started making racial slurs toward the boy.

Officers arrested Ross for terroristic threats and a weapons offense with both charges including a hate crime enhancement.

Police cited the boy for six violations including possession of marijuana and reckless driving.