GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — An exchange of hand gestures between a 57-year-old man and a 18-year-old driver allegedly set off a chain events that ended in a brutal assault, police said.
According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, two drivers encountered each other last Wednesday along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard near R.H. Smith Boulevard in the Sugar Hill area.
Police said the drivers were 57-year-old Duane Sudderth of Flowery Branch and an 18-year-old who had his 15-year-old sister with him.
An investigation revealed that at some point during the encounter, the two drivers allegedly made hand gestures at one another, which they say led Sudderth to chase the 18-year-old driver.
The pursuit went down Peachtree Industrial Boulevard until police said the teenager turned onto Little Mill Road and then onto Buford Dam Road. Police said Sudderth is accused of attempting to run the two teenagers off the road before the teen pulled into a driveway near Marina Way.
Police said Sudderth is accused of blocking the teens in, getting out of his vehicle and punching the victim through the window. The 18-year-old was then knocked out during the fight, law enforcement stated.
Police said Sudderth allegedly punched the teenager multiple times. During the assault, police said Sudderth also allegedly made the threat that he would "sexually assault his girlfriend in the passenger seat," who was actually the driver's sister.
Once the victim regained consciousness, police said the 18-year-old drove home with his sister, where they called 911.
According to law enforcement, detectives used a number of investigative tools including their FLOCK camera system to track down the suspect's vehicle at his home in neighboring Hall County.
The Gwinnett County Police Department then arrested and charged Sudderth on the following charges on Sunday:
- Aggravated Battery
- Aggravated Assault (two counts)
- Terroristic Threats
- Cruelty to Children 1st Degree
- Cruelty to Children 3rd Degree
- Entering Auto
- Aggressive Driving
Sudderth was denied bond during his first appearance in front of a magistrate judge.
In general, police are reminding people not to engage with another driver if you find yourself in a similar situation. They urge drivers to call 911 if they feel they're being followed immediately and if you can pull off in a public area you feel safe to wait on police to show up.