Road Rage Made Him Do It, Says Area Man

A 24-year-old Kinmundy man explained to a Marion County sheriff's deputy "road rage" caused him to ram the back of a car that had just passed him on Edgar Road, north of Kinmundy, Saturday night.

Seth Uphold of Kinlou Road was being held in Marion County Jail on Monday for alleged reckless driving, criminal damage to property, and leaving the scene of an accident following the alleged admission. Uphold is accused of crashing into the rear of a car driven by 19-year-old Nathaniel Followell of Altamont.

Followell told police he had tried to pass Uphold's vehicle after leaving the Forbes State Park beach when it was traveling at 20-30MPH in front of him. However, Followell said Uphold started accelerate and swerving across the roadway preventing him from doing so.

When Uphold's Jeep reportedly slowed to 35MPH later on the Edgar Road, Followell attempted to pass the Jeep again. This time he was successful, but had to increase his speed to 60MPH to get around the Jeep when it began to accelerate. 

Followell said after passing, he set the cruise control for 55MPH. The Jeep then came up behind him quickly and rear-ended his car. The two vehicles became attached by the bumpers until Followell braked to get them apart.

The driver of the Jeep then fled the scene, but Followell was able to get the license plate number. A Marion County sheriff's deputy later found the vehicle parked in the garage of Uphold's parents with minor front end damage and a paint transfer matching the Followell car. It was then that Uphold had been asked what happened and replied with the "road rage" answer.

One passenger in the Followell vehicle, 17-year-old Lexie Limes of Mason, was treated at Salem Township Hospital. The others in the car were identified as 15-year-old Kierra Mitchell of Farina, 19-year-old Devin Durbin of Altamont, and 17-year-old Kori Faber of Watson. They also went to the hospital, but were apparently not seen by medical staff.