Laguna Beach Man Involved in Freeway Road Rage Incident

A 40-year-old truck driver was behind bars today on suspicion of a road-rage attack on a Laguna Beach man on the 405 freeway in Huntington Beach.

Denny Saavedra, jailed on $25,000 bail, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and throwing an object at a vehicle, California Highway Patrol Officer Ray Payton said.

Richard Brun of Laguna Beach called 911 about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and said a big-rig truck driver threw something at his vehicle while they were driving south on the 605 freeway near the 105 freeway, Payton said.

A CHP dispatcher told Brun to pull over and wait for police, but he kept following the truck, Payton said.

Both drivers stopped on the shoulder of the southbound 405 at Beach Boulevard, got out, exchanged words and started throwing punches, Payton said.

Saavedra was arrested because he allegedly got out of the truck clutching a metal pipe, Payton said.

It's unclear what was thrown at Brun's vehicle, but it may have been a bottle.

Brun said he thought he heard something shatter, Payton said.

The fight, captured on cell phone video by another motorist, has been broadcast on ABC7.

Payton suggested avoiding conflicts with other motorists and calling police.

"We never recommend that you get in contact with someone," Payton said.

"Just dial 911, get us the information we need to locate the driver, such as a license plate, and just stay at a safe distance and let us handle it."

Brun, who said he worked as a security guard, said he got out of his car when the truck driver waved a lead pipe at him.

"My whole objective was to make sure the police got this guy for fear of him doing this to somebody else," Brun said.

Anyone who saw the fight was asked to call the CHP during weekday office hours at (714) 892-4426, or after hours at (949) 559-7888.

-- City News Service