Road rage victim has history of DUI, violence

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Two days ago he claimed he was the victim of a videotaped road-rage fight. Friday Jerry Patterson had to answer charges he was the aggressor in another act of violence.

From assault victim to handcuffed defendant, Patterson faced a Long Beach judge Friday afternoon after he was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Patterson's arraignment was continued Friday in order to give him time to get his own attorney. He was ordered held on $50,000 bond. The judge said this time Patterson had better return to court.

"He's charged by the city of Long Beach with driving while under the influence of alcohol, and for battery and for hit and run," said Long Beach Prosecutor Doug Haubert. "This all occurred as a result of once incident in Long Beach prior to the incident on the freeway."

A viral video shows the road-rage fight that took place on the 5 Freeway June 12. Patterson, 49, is repeatedly kicked in the head after fighting two men simultaneously.

The attention from the video is what landed Patterson behind bars. He is accused of being the alleged aggressor in a similar situation.

"I called the CHP immediately after I saw it on TV, called the Long Beach Police Department and said 'Why isn't this guy arrested?'" said Jim Poole.

The incident happened over the Memorial Day weekend. It was also captured on cellphone video.

Poole says he saw Patterson hit a parked car. He decided to step in given Patterson's dangerous driving.

"He gave me his driver's license and when I was looking at his driver's license he hit me in the face, and it resulted in blood and broken sunglasses," said Poole.

Patterson was arrested but never appeared in court for his arraignment, so a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

After the infamous freeway fight video surfaced, police tracked him down.

Patterson was also arrested for drinking and driving in April 2008. He was convicted of driving under the influence in San Diego.

"It would be his second-time DUI in a short period of time. It could be as much -- with all three charges, it could be as much as a year and a half or longer in jail," said Poole.

Patterson is due back in court on July 26.

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.

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