- October 27, 2024
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William Markert was arrested by Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies on May 20. He was the aggressor in a road rage incident with a motorcyclist on Ponce Deleon Drive in Palm Coast. A bystander's cell phone video aided police in the investigation.
“Incidents like this are easily avoidable by not losing your temper,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Taking action yourself does not stop drivers from driving badly but often escalates the situation. Road rage often leads to is crashes, battery, aggravated assaults, and arrests. I’m glad this situation didn’t escalate to anything worse. If you see someone doing something illegal on the road or driving in an unsafe matter, don’t take it upon yourself to correct the situation, call us and we will take care of it. Don’t engage in road rage!”
On Thursday, May 20, 2021, the FCSO responded to a call about a road rage incident that became physical between a motorcyclist and another driver in the area of Pony Express Drive and Ponce Deleon Drive in Palm Coast.
Deputies arrived on the scene and located a male on a motorcycle at the intersection of Belle Terre Parkway and Ponce Deleon Drive matching the description given by the reporting party. Upon making contact with deputies the victim took his helmet off and had visible signs of redness and bruising.
The victim stated that he was traveling on his motorcycle on Ponce Deleon Drive when he accelerated past a vehicle traveling in the oncoming direction. The driver of the vehicle, William Markert, raised his hands and yelled out the window, making hand gestures for the motorcyclist to slow his speed. The victim stated that he then stopped and parked his motorcycle behind Markert’s vehicle.
The victim told deputies that Markert then exited his vehicle but his car was not in park causing the car to continue to roll. Markert then jumped back in his car and placed the vehicle in park, exiting again, and aggressively moved towards the victim.
The victim told deputies that Markert pushed him three times before the victim struck him in self defense and a physical altercation ensued. After a brief struggle, the victim left the scene on his motorcycle.
Further investigation found a video of the altercation that confirmed the victim’s account of events and shows Markert as the primary aggressor. The video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/b4-agt07_vE
When interviewed by deputies, Markert stated that he was involved in an incident with the victim but it was because of the victim's speed. When asked if the argument turned physical, Markert stated that it did but that he was hit first and was acting in self-defense.
William Markert was arrested and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He was charged with Battery and was later released under a pre-trial agreement.
If you see unsafe driving please report it to the FCSO by calling 386-313-4911 or in an emergency dial 9-1-1. To report traffic concerns visit http://www.flaglersheriff.com/traffic-complaint
