Pedestrian Rage: Police Say Impeded Turn Leads to Punched Motorist

An Iowa City man was charged with assault after he allegedly punched a motorist through the driver's side window following a dispute with the motorist about his slow walking Friday night.

According to an Iowa City Police criminal complaint, at 11:03 p.m. on Friday night a police officer was flagged down by a motorist at the 300 block of S. Dubuque St. who stated he had been punched in the face through his car window by Justin Forrest Rush, 30, of Iowa City, who the officer found nearby. Rush was identified by the driver as the man who had hit him, according to the complaint.

The driver told the officer that an argument had started between him and Rush when Rush allegedly walked in front of his car while he was trying to make a "legal right turn." Rush then countered the man by becoming angry and pointing out that the almost hit him while he was walking in the street. 

This argument culminated in Rush punching the driver in the left jaw while the man was still in his car, according to the complaint. The man suffered a bruise but did not seek medical attention. The incident was corroborated by a witness nearby.

Rush was charged with assault causing bodily injury and an intoxication offense, both misdemeanors. He made his $2,500 bail and was released at 12:35 p.m. this afternoon, according to online jail records.