Suspect Police Call 'Danger on the Road and Off' Accused of Florida Road Rage Incident Involving Minor

An Alabama man has been arrested after a road rage incident turned violent, including the assault of a juvenile victim, according to authorities.

On April 21, officers responded to a party store on Highway 20 in Niceville, Florida, regarding a report of a physical altercation in the parking lot, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to deputies, Thomas Keebler, 40, allegedly followed the victim into the store parking lot and then “parked in front of their vehicle to prevent them from leaving” after he tailgated them and aggressively passed the car on Highway 20.

Officials said the driver was reportedly with one adult and one juvenile passenger, but they didn’t disclose the juvenile victim’s age.

Surveillance footage was obtained from the store, which showed Keebler “aggressively exiting his truck while enraged,” authorities said.

Keebler then lunged at the passenger before attempting to hit the back seat passenger, officials said. The third passenger tried to exit the vehicle, but Keebler kicked the door multiple times to prevent them from leaving.

He then shoved one of the victims, who is a juvenile, to the ground. The driver of the car tried to intervene, but Keebler put him in a headlock, punching him numerous times in the head, police said.

After the altercation, Keebler fled the scene, according to police.

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Officers were able to identify Keebler from the footage, as they have previously ticketed him multiple times this year, according to authorities. They contacted him and he turned himself in to the Walton County Jail on April 25.

“This is an individual our deputies have encountered numerous times," Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. "Not to mention his extensive criminal history which includes driving under the influence, assault, possession of cocaine, terroristic threats, public intoxication and more from jurisdictions across the southeast. He is a danger on the road and off.”

Keebler was charged with criminal mischief, child abuse and battery. He was released on a $5,000 bond, officials said.