Two Women Injured in Alleged Road Rage Attack

A Palm Harbor woman suffered a severe eye injury when she tried to help a motorist during a bizarre attack that investigators are calling road rage. The incident sent two women to the hospital and caused a lengthy traffic jam Tuesday morning on one of north Pinellas County's busiest roads.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Bonnie Coleman, 31, of Holiday on charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault with a Motor Vehicle, and Simple Battery.

Investigators say the incident started on Tampa Rd. in Oldsmar. Therese O'Neill, 29, of Brandon was driving a 1992 Dodge station wagon in the westbound lane when she pulled in front of Coleman. Coleman, who was driving a 2012 Saturn station wagon, then ran into O'Neill's rear bumper. O'Neill did not stop and continued on Tampa Rd. Deputies say that Coleman continued to follow O'Neill and rammed O'Neill's station wagon multiple times prior to East Lake Rd.

While O'Neill was stopped at the traffic light at East Lake Rd, Coleman tried to use her vehicle to push O'Neill's vehicle out into the intersection. Deputies say O'Neill backed up and hit Coleman's vehicle. Then, in an attempt to get away from Coleman, O'Neill sped through the red light. Coleman followed O'Neill on Tampa Rd. to Mayfair Place in Palm Harbor. Deputies say Coleman then got out of her station wagon and began punching and kicking O'Neill, who had also exited her vehicle.

Jill Ann Atwood, 45, of Palm Harbor witnessed the incident. Deputies say Atwood got out of her vehicle in an attempt to help O'Neill. Coleman then allegedly struck Atwood in the eye with her fist.

O'Neill was taken by ambulance to Mease Countryside Hospital for bruising and other non life-threatening injuries.  Atwood was also transported by ambulance to Mease Countryside Hospital for a severe injury to her eye.

Deputies say Coleman was non compliant, agitated and uncooperative when she was arrested.

The incident backed up traffic on Tampa Rd.