Semi-Truck Driver Sideswiped Compact Car in Road Rage Incident: Police

Robert Brothersen. Credit: Will County Sheriff’s Office.

A woman was taken to an area hospital for evaluation after a terrifying road rage incident involving a semi-truck near Plainfield on Sunday, police said.

Robert Brothersen, 53, of Lisle, is charged with felony aggravated assault and reckless driving after allegedly attempting to run a compact car off the road, believing the driver had cut him off, Plainfield Sgt. Mike Fisher said.

Fisher said the woman was headed west on Route 30 just off I-55 early Sunday afternoon in a Nissan Sentra. She was merging as Route 30 narrowed to one lane when Brothersen took offense, police said.

Believing the woman had cut him off, Brothersen allegedly followed her, sideswiping her vehicle and attempting to force her off the road.

Fisher said the impact of the crash caused the woman to hit her head on the driver’s side window of her car.

“It was very scary for the lady involved, and she was extremely terrified,” Fisher said.

The woman managed to follow Brothersen and provided police with a description of his semi.

Fisher said the semi-truck route took Brothersen directly past the Plainfield Police Department, where he was stopped and immediately admitted to hitting the woman’s vehicle.

Fisher said Brothersen told police he wanted to scare the woman and drive her off the road.

The woman was taken to an area hospital for evaluation after complaining of head pain, Fisher said.

In addition to the aggravated assault and reckless driving charges, Brothersen was also charged with improper lane use and failure to give information/render aid following a crash, according to jail records.

Brothersen, of the 1000 block of Lacey Avenue in Lisle, was due in Will County court on Monday afternoon.