A road rage incident in Florida ended with two fathers exchanging gunfire, injuring each other’s daughters. William Hale and Frank Allison were driving home with their families when they became involved in a confrontation fueled by road rage. Both men agree that they were brake-checking each other and driving too fast. Allison’s wife even flipped off the Hales.
Allison, his family members, and an independent witness claimed that Hale became the aggressor, trying to run Allison off the road and throwing a water bottle into his driver’s side window. Allison grabbed his gun and fired, hitting Hale’s 5-year-old daughter in the lower leg. Hale then grabbed his own gun and fired seven to eight rounds at Allison’s car, hitting his 14-year-old daughter in the back. Both girls were treated for their injuries at local hospitals and survived.
Attempted Murder Charges
At the time of the incident, police arrested both men on attempted murder charges. However, only William Hale is now facing charges. The Nassau County State’s Attorney’s Office charged him with three counts of second-degree attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of maliciously throwing a deadly missile.
Allison is protected from being charged himself under Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law, according to the Nassau County State’s Attorney’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Christopher Roth Huband wrote that Hale’s “aggressive driving pattern and the throwing of a water bottle placed the Allisons in fear of imminent death or great bodily harm and constitute the commission of forcible felonies.”
Sheriff’s Advice
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper warned that “two stupid grown men” nearly resulted in the death of two children. He advised drivers who find themselves in similar situations to stand down and to call the police.
It is unclear whether Hale has obtained an attorney. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of road rage and the importance of maintaining a level head while driving.