Freeway road rage beating victim charged in different attack; his victim speaks out

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- When the video of a fight on the 5 Freeway first went viral Tuesday night, some people wondered if it was a hoax. People wondered why Jerry Patterson, the man seen being beaten in the video, did not file a police report.

But the reason became apparent when Patterson was arrested in Altadena Thursday for a misdemeanor warrant out of Long Beach for failure to appear in court. Oddly enough, the warrant stemmed from another fight caught on tape back on May 25 in Long Beach with a man named Jim Poole.

Poole says it all started after he witnessed a hit-and-run and decided to step in.

"He was driving recklessly, he was passing all the cars and passing all the stop signs," he said.

Poole says he eventually convinced Patterson to pull over and wouldn't let him back in his car. That's when he says the fight started.

"He gave me his driver's license, when he gave me his driver's license he hit me in the face," he said.

Police showed up and arrested Jerry for DUI and assault. He was supposed to be in court June 6.

"I waited in the courtroom for him and he never showed up," said Poole.

When Poole saw video of this fight on the news, he knew he saw a familiar face.

"I called the CHP immediately after I saw it on TV. I said, 'Why isn't this guy arrested?'" he said.

Soon after, Patterson was arrested at his girlfriend's Altadena home and booked at the La Crescenta Sheriff's Station.

Court records show in 2010, Patterson was convicted of disturbing the peace and charged with hitting a police officer.

Patterson isn't facing any charges connected with the 5 Freeway beating. But the two men who kicked him in the head, 21-year-old David Mendez and 27-year-old Erdas Ramirez, are facing charges. The two had turned themselves in on Wednesday.

"Approximately 7:30 last evening, two suspects turned themselves in and our investigators had probable cause to book them on assault charges," said CHP Officer Chris Baldonado.

The two are now at Twin Towers jail in downtown, facing felony assault with a deadly weapon charges. Those weapons are their feet and fists.

"Whether or not the district attorney wants to file for that, all we can do is recommend booking charges," said Baldonado.

As for Patterson, he's scheduled to appear in Long Beach Municipal Court Friday at 1:30 p.m.

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