A Hot Springs man was arrested late Friday after allegedly attacking a passing motorcyclist, shoving him off his motorcycle into traffic where he was almost hit by other vehicles.
James Winfield Blakley, 47, who lists a Brookhill Ranch Trail address, was taken into custody in the 1200 block of Central Avenue and charged with a felony count of aggravated assault, punishable by up to six years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of first-degree criminal mischief, punishable by up to one year in jail.
Blakley was being held on $3,500 bond and appeared Monday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, around 8 p.m. Friday, Hot Springs police Officer Justin Bradbury responded to the 1200 block of Central Avenue regarding an assault and upon arrival was stopped by multiple witnesses.
One male witness said he was riding a motorcycle directly behind the male victim who was also riding a motorcycle southbound in the outside lane passing by the Econo Lodge, 1204 Central. The witness said he saw a white male, later identified as Blakley, standing on the sidewalk.
As the victim drove by, Blakley allegedly "sprinted into the roadway" and pushed the victim off his motorcycle "in a violent manner," and it was noted the victim was traveling at about 35 mph at the time.
The witness said after the victim was shoved off the motorcycle, he and the motorcycle both skidded down the inside and outside lane. A female witness who was riding in a car in the inside lane told police she saw a man, later identified as Blakley, run into the road and push the victim off his motorcycle.
She said the driver of the car she was in had to swerve into the turn lane to avoid running over the victim's head.
Another male witness stated he was walking on the sidewalk and had seen Blakley "punching himself in the head repeatedly" moments before he "balled up his fist" and ran into the roadway as the motorcyclist drove by and "tackled the motorcycle."
The victim reportedly sustained minor injuries to his left arm and possible injuries to his head. Multiple witnesses reportedly stated the victim was almost hit by north- and southbound traffic after being knocked off his motorcycle.
The victim's Harley-Davidson motorcycle reportedly sustained about $1,000 in damages, including "deep gouges and scrapes" to the whole left side and broken handlebars.
When questioned, Blakley first denied pushing the victim and then claimed he fell into the victim. After he was taken into custody and put into a police unit. Blakley reportedly became "very disorderly" and started slamming his face against the prisoner cage.
Local on 09/11/2018