LAKE CALIFORNIA, Calif. - A 70-year-old man involved in what authorities describe as a road rage incident over the weekend has died of his injuries.
Wilbur Smith had reported to the Tehama County Sheriff's Department Saturday night that he was involved in an altercation and had been struck, Capt. Paul Hosler said. Smith died Tuesday of a brain hemorrhage.
"It's unfortunate. It's terrible, but (Smith) started this thing," Hosler said.
The incident began Saturday evening when a vehicle passed Smith's car as he approached Lake California, a gated community near Interstate 5 about halfway between Redding and Red Bluff, Hostler said.
Smith, with his wife and 50-year-old son in the vehicle, became angry and chased the other vehicle at a high rate of speed. When he caught up with the 22-year-old driver and his 21-year-old passenger, Smith and his son yelled at them to slow down.
The two men later went back in search of the younger men and got into a confrontation with the 21-year-old passenger, who is disabled and recently suffered injuries to his back and foot, Hosler said.
Deputies concluded the man acted in self-defense, although it is not clear whether Smith was injured after being struck by the 21-year-old's cane or from falling to the ground during the fight. Investigators are now re-examining the incident.
None of the men sought medical attention.
"Had this guy not died, this case would be closed," Hosler said.
Wilbur Smith had reported to the Tehama County Sheriff's Department Saturday night that he was involved in an altercation and had been struck, Capt. Paul Hosler said. Smith died Tuesday of a brain hemorrhage.
"It's unfortunate. It's terrible, but (Smith) started this thing," Hosler said.
The incident began Saturday evening when a vehicle passed Smith's car as he approached Lake California, a gated community near Interstate 5 about halfway between Redding and Red Bluff, Hostler said.
Smith, with his wife and 50-year-old son in the vehicle, became angry and chased the other vehicle at a high rate of speed. When he caught up with the 22-year-old driver and his 21-year-old passenger, Smith and his son yelled at them to slow down.
The two men later went back in search of the younger men and got into a confrontation with the 21-year-old passenger, who is disabled and recently suffered injuries to his back and foot, Hosler said.
Deputies concluded the man acted in self-defense, although it is not clear whether Smith was injured after being struck by the 21-year-old's cane or from falling to the ground during the fight. Investigators are now re-examining the incident.
None of the men sought medical attention.
"Had this guy not died, this case would be closed," Hosler said.
LAKE CALIFORNIA, Calif. - A 70-year-old man involved in what authorities describe as a road rage incident over the weekend has died of his injuries.
Wilbur Smith had reported to the Tehama County Sheriff's Department Saturday night that he was involved in an altercation and had been struck, Capt. Paul Hosler said. Smith died Tuesday of a brain hemorrhage.
"It's unfortunate. It's terrible, but (Smith) started this thing," Hosler said.
The incident began Saturday evening when a vehicle passed Smith's car as he approached Lake California, a gated community near Interstate 5 about halfway between Redding and Red Bluff, Hostler said.
Smith, with his wife and 50-year-old son in the vehicle, became angry and chased the other vehicle at a high rate of speed. When he caught up with the 22-year-old driver and his 21-year-old passenger, Smith and his son yelled at them to slow down.
The two men later went back in search of the younger men and got into a confrontation with the 21-year-old passenger, who is disabled and recently suffered injuries to his back and foot, Hosler said.
Deputies concluded the man acted in self-defense, although it is not clear whether Smith was injured after being struck by the 21-year-old's cane or from falling to the ground during the fight. Investigators are now re-examining the incident.
None of the men sought medical attention.
"Had this guy not died, this case would be closed," Hosler said.
Wilbur Smith had reported to the Tehama County Sheriff's Department Saturday night that he was involved in an altercation and had been struck, Capt. Paul Hosler said. Smith died Tuesday of a brain hemorrhage.
"It's unfortunate. It's terrible, but (Smith) started this thing," Hosler said.
The incident began Saturday evening when a vehicle passed Smith's car as he approached Lake California, a gated community near Interstate 5 about halfway between Redding and Red Bluff, Hostler said.
Smith, with his wife and 50-year-old son in the vehicle, became angry and chased the other vehicle at a high rate of speed. When he caught up with the 22-year-old driver and his 21-year-old passenger, Smith and his son yelled at them to slow down.
The two men later went back in search of the younger men and got into a confrontation with the 21-year-old passenger, who is disabled and recently suffered injuries to his back and foot, Hosler said.
Deputies concluded the man acted in self-defense, although it is not clear whether Smith was injured after being struck by the 21-year-old's cane or from falling to the ground during the fight. Investigators are now re-examining the incident.
None of the men sought medical attention.
"Had this guy not died, this case would be closed," Hosler said.
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