There are families in these other cars; Man knocked unconscious in Lehi road rage fight dies
Jun 4, 2024, 8:51 AM | Updated: 6:45 pm
LEHI — A man knocked unconscious in a road rage fight has died, according to a family spokesperson.
The man was identified as 38-year-old Michael Brown.
One man in critical condition, another in custody following road rage fight
Family spokesperson, Greg Skordas, told KSL TV that Michael Brown was taken off of life support yesterday at 5:39 p.m.
“You never think this is going to happen to your family,” Michael Brown’s sister-in-law, Cyndi Brown, said. She’s known the victim since he was five-years-old.
On Sunday afternoon, police said Michael Brown cut off and then brake-checked another driver, John Williams.
Officials said Williams followed Michael Brown eastbound on Main Street, then the two men got out of their cars and began to fight near 1300 West.
“It was a just a horrible road rage incident that ended up with fisticuffs and ended up with a very severe injury to Michael, which ended up causing his death,” Skordas said.
According to witnesses, the two men threw punches, all while Michael Brown’s two young children were in the car.
Lehi road rage incident sends one man to hospital, another to jail
“I’m sure that’s going to stay with them a long time,” Cyndi Brown said. “They were freaked out and terrified and scared like you would expect a child to be.”
Michael Brown was knocked unconscious in the fight, causing him to fall into the roadway. Police said there’s nothing to suggest weapons were involved.
“He was taken to one hospital and when it was clear that he was suffering from major head trauma, he was flown to…a hospital that is able to deal with head injuries in a better way,” Skordas said. “After several surgeries, it was just determined that he was unable to be saved.”
Williams was charged with aggravated assault.
“Incidents like this affect two families and will affect them both for years and years and years to come,” Skordas said. “Not only the victim’s family, because they lost a loved one, who by all accounts was just a tremendous man, but the perpetrator and his family. I mean, he may very well suffer the consequences of being charged with a homicide.”
Skordas said Michael Brown was married to his wife, Mandi, for 19 years.
“Sweethearts from the very young age,” Cyndi Brown said. “And she’s just grappling with the senselessness of it all.”
The couple has two boys, ages 10 and eight, who both witnessed the physical altercation.
(GoFundMe used with permission)
“He was so involved with his family, loved his wife, very involved with his children, was coaching them, and baseball,” Cyndi Brown said. “In fact, the day that this happened, he was on his way to have lunch with his wife and they were going to go to the Bees game after.”
Cyndi Brown said bystanders stepped in to help her nephews on scene.
“There was a neighbor in the neighborhood that saw what was happening and came and got in the car with the boys and…took them back to his house,” she said. “The boys talk about playing with the pigs and seeing the horse. And so that gave our family a lot of comfort.”
She said another woman stayed with Michael until the ambulance arrived. She said it’s the only comfort her family’s held on to.
“We’re just trying to make something good come out of this, and we hope that people will take a breath,” Cyndi Brown said. “I think we have to bring civility back and we have to take a breath. We’ve all experienced frustrations and we’re driving. It’s just part of driving. But I think we have to remember that there are families in these other cars.”
“The investigation is ongoing and Lehi City Police are asking anyone with information to come forward and assist in putting together the events that led to this tragedy,” a release from the Lehi Police Department stated.
“Considering this incident, Lehi City Police are reminding all drivers to remain calm and composed on the roads. Aggressive driving and road rage can lead to dangerous and potentially deadly outcomes. Police will be increasing patrols and monitoring in hopes of preventing such incidents.”
Skordas and Cyndi Brown said this incident has left a permanent mark on both drivers’ families.
“We know that he has a family, we know that he has a mom and a dad and maybe some siblings,” she said. “We don’t know a lot about him, but I’m sure that they’re devastated in a different way, just as we are and your emotions can get away from you.”
A GoFundMe* has been set up to support the Brown family.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
