Road-rage incident ends in beating of 87-year-old man, police say


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KAYSVILLE - Police arrested a man after a road rage incident in Kaysville Friday. They say a 66-year-old man followed an 87-year-old man to a grocery store parking lot and beat him.

"I've never had an argument with anybody that got that violent," the 87-year-old named Richard said. He spoke with KSL News but did not want to share his last name, out of fear.

Richard was driving to the Smith's in Kaysville Friday morning when a truck started coming over into his lane. Richard started honking his horn so the driver of the truck would see him. He said the driver started honking back and even followed him all the way to the parking lot.

Flying insults quickly escalated to flying fists.

"He took his left hand, I didn't see it comin' but I felt it," Richard said. "Then he hit me with his right hand on this side, knocked my glasses off and shoved me down on the ground. He was right on top of me. I couldn't get up."

The attacker, later identified by Kaysville police as 66-year-old Daniel Couser, allegedly punched Richard twice in the face and pushed him down on the ground.

When two bystanders saw the attack and rushed over, Richard said Couser took off in his truck. But the bystanders got his license plate and a good description for police.

"He's a big dude. He outweighs me," Richard said. "He probably weighs 260 (pounds) and he's 6-foot-2 ... 3 ... 4 ... somewhere in there, and he's quite broad. I really was out of my class for fighting."

Police caught up with Couser. He was arrested and taken to jail accused of assault.

Richard went to an emergency room. Doctors told his family that because he's on blood-thinning medication, the attack could have killed him.

"I'm really angry that he could do this to such a sweet, gentle soul," said Rich Briscoe, Richard's son-in-law. "It's a little disheartening to find out something like that happening in Utah today."

But Richard wasn't going down that easily.

"Next time I'll be alright. I'll be ready," Richard said. "I'm going to get somebody in my weight."

Police say if you're ever confronted by an aggressive driver, lock your doors and do not get out of your car. You should also call 911 and honk your horn to get other people's attention if the driver won't back off.

Police say this is the fourth road-rage incident this month that turned violent.

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Tania Mashburn

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