Clearly this man is a danger to society. I hope the judge realizes this when considering bail. What is doing in Palo Alto if he lives in eastern California? Where would he be released if the judge grants him bail?

Just curious why ramming the other car multiple times with the truck was not charged as a serious crime? Seems to me that's equally or even more serious than his assaulting an elderly woman and younger man in the face with a cane, although that's bad enough.

The guy was probably completely unprepared for the horrible local traffic, or the immense amount of patience required in a place where the traffic circulation has been deliberately made to be aggravating (by order of former Governor Schwarzenegger) in the most stupid of responses possible to "encouraging" other forms of transportation? I wonder if he knows that he could probably get some sympathetic defense from locals who do not excuse his behavior, but certainly do feel for his rage?

As far as I'm concerned what this creepy driver has done amounts to attempted homicide. Giving him a suspended sentence or revoking his driving privileges for a few months would be grossly inadequate. He needs to spend several years in a state prison, the more the better and probably not be allowed to drive anymore.

What is it with Palo Alto that it is now attracting so many dangerous elements from all over?

I'm not "excusing" the behavior, but, this sounds a bit like something that I have personally witnessed. I imagine others have also, and, I assume that the suspect will be evaluated for dementia. If this is a sudden change in behavior, the possibility of a stroke should be considered, and, I hope they checked before locking him up.

I agree with Anon. This sounds a lot like a neurological issue of some kind. The PAPD is notoriously bad at spotting these. Just remember the story about the lady with a seizure this summer, and the research scientist a few years ago who sideswiped several cars because he was having a stroke. PAPD didn't even recognize he was having a problem, had him dropped off at work and then he died.

I've seen first hand where people come into Stanford Hosp and get a very bad diagnosis which sets them off and they lash out destructively.
This guy was from the gold country, maybe in town for a medical eval.

This is a sad state of affairs and sounds like this 66-year-old person has either a personality disorder or a neurological or brain issue of some sort. I wish the other drivers a speedy recovery and healing from this trauma. I hope this man gets help. It doesn't sound like the other drivers did anything wrong or intentional to provoke "road rage" so not sure if it's correctly labeled as "road rage" incident.

I have experienced other incidents that made me rage inside however and wondered if this person lost it because of a situation that might have been similar to mine.

A couple of months ago two fast-driving drivers raced one another down Middlefield behind me and then both cars veered sharply over double yellow lines at 50+ MPH to pass me and several cars at a time. These two drivers raced around us as if they were daring and egging each other on to see how many cars they could pass on Middlefield without being caught. Tried to get their license plates from my dash cam recordings.

Have others experienced this and have these folks been caught? They could have ran over bicyclists and children crossing the street with their dangerous driving.

Naw, that stuff happens every day to someone. What you experienced was ego, which sadly most drivers have an over abundance of once they climb behind the wheel.
Selfish ego-maniacs are behind the majority of traffic issues.

Hopefully, this man was evaluated by medical and mental health professionals. Such behavior is not normal -- especially if the man had no prior criminal behavior. Either way, I hope that this man is forced to face his crimes. There is no viable excuse to assault innocent people.

@ Question: Are you seriously blaming former Governor Schwarzenegger for traffic in and around Palo Alto? This was a problem long, long before Arnie was elected.

There's more info (including name and photo) in the Mercury News. Apparently the perp had a history of arrests for battery.

Here's the link:
Web Link

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@Lauren, yYou questions the suspicion that mental health might be an issue, then said "It can't be that this monster is just crazy..."
smh indeed. LOL

Sounds like a seriously disturbed individual. But my first response before reading about the guy's priors, was: instead of "get off my lawn", this guy was essentially saying "get off my road".

Posted by Merc NEws, a resident of Adobe-Meadow
>> Here's the link:

I'm not on friendly terms with The Merc right now, so, I'll take your word for it. I guess the summary is, "Nasty guy simulating dementia arrested for assault."?

Posted by Lauren, a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis

>> Classic response. Mental health was the issue. It can't be that this monster is just crazy and looking for trouble.?

Given the available information, it could be one or the other. It would be nice to know if the police considered the possibility and had him evaluated.

>> That kind of irresponsible thinking is gonna get this monster off the hook and back on the streets in no time.

It is irresponsible to think that you or your loved ones are immune to mental illnesses or diseases that affect mental function. Consider that next time around, it could be you:

Web Link

"He needs to spend several years in a state prison, the more the better and probably not be allowed to drive anymore."

Or if he has dementia, confined to an institution. Under no circumstances should he be allowed to roam around loose, as he is clearly a danger to society.

I can't believe anyone is defending a perp with years of violent crime convictions. Why hasn't 3 strikes locked him away for life yet?

"Why hasn't 3 strikes locked him away for life yet?"
Old white guy...who knows. Can he buy a gun?

Posted by resident, a resident of Monroe Park

>> I can't believe anyone is defending

Not sure who you are talking about. Me? I'm not "defending" the behavior described in the original article. I asked whether or not he had been evaluated for dementia. BTW, "hate the sin, not the sinner", or, any number of related concepts-- does that ring a bell?

>> a perp

You've been watching too many cop shows on TV.

>> with years of violent crime convictions. Why hasn't 3 strikes locked him away for life yet?

I haven't read the Mercury News article. You tell me.

BTW, older people with dementia can sometimes injure other people. "Trust me." No one is "defending" their behavior, but, it does make a difference to know whether or not dementia is the root cause. "It could happen to you."

PA driver says -
"The PAPD is notoriously bad at spotting these. Just remember the story about the lady with a seizure this summer, and the research scientist a few years ago who sideswiped several cars because he was having a stroke. PAPD didn't even recognize he was having a problem, had him dropped off at work and then he died."

Or the time, a few Decembers back, when PA police officers shot dead a psychiatric patient right outside a mental health facility, just a couple blocks from University Ave. The young man had a history of depression and was trying to get shot. PAPD obliged. They felt threatened by the "deadly" butter knife he was holding and fired a few shots, just a few feet from the man.

In reaction to the news, the majority of commenters expressed their congratulations to PAPD. Sickening

@1drin
Ignorance and anger are not a good combination. Putting aside the fact that you expect police to consistantly and accurately diagnose mental illness, brain aneurysms, dementia, or drug use within 2 minutes of arrival to a busy scene, a task most psychiatrists couldn't do. Mental patients with a history of depression, even in proximity to a facility, aren't a threat? You don't see how an 8 inch, dull, thin metal blade plunged into a throat, artery or eye would be fatal? Especially "a few feet away" as you stated. You get 1.25 seconds to decide: butter knife or stiletto coming at you. Incorrect guess means you get stabbed. Just kidding, either one will put a deep hole in you. Wanna play the odds?

I accept that you don't understand the concept of interpersonal violence as you're likely a nice person who's always had paid protectors like the PAPD. But it's quite simple to look for any of thousands of videos involving knife attacks to show you the speed, brutality and sheer effectiveness of an attacker with a blade. Educate yourself, please.

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Number one thing for the police is to preserve life. Please educate yourself and stop watching so much TV.

Even at Alcatraz, the prison for the "worst of the worst", the following was in effect:

"You are entitled to food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. Anything else you get is a privilege."

"The PAPD is notoriously bad at spotting these. Just remember the story about the lady with a seizure this summer, and the research scientist a few years ago who sideswiped several cars because he was having a stroke. PAPD didn't even recognize he was having a problem, had him dropped off at work and then he died."

You live in a town where the ultra-low crime rate is the envy of most other places. The PAPD is a big part of the reason for that, yet you throw rocks at them? I think that is both uninformed and shameful.

Posted by Kenny, a resident of University South

>> "The PAPD is notoriously bad at spotting these. J

>> You live in a town where the ultra-low crime rate is the envy of most other places. The PAPD is a big part of the reason for that, yet you throw rocks at them? I think that is both uninformed and shameful.

You don't seem to allow for the possibility that PAPD could do a great job of catching criminals, AND, could be notoriously bad at handling people with illnesses, and, particularly, handling people with mental illnesses-- at the same time. Fortunately, we've seen anecdotal evidence recently that PAPD is making more of an effort with regard to mental illness. I really hope this is part of a sustained effort. Police departments all over the country struggle to deal with mental illness. Google "Los Angeles County jail homeless mentally ill". There is a year's worth of reading there.

You just compared LA county with Palo Alto. lol lol . Big difference in population bud. Please stop watching so much Fox News and get out in the real world.