By Robert D. Dávila
bdavila@sacbee.com
The California Highway Patrol is investigating an alleged road rage attack on KFBK sportscaster Pat Walsh, who reported he was stopped and attacked by three men along Interstate 80 north of Auburn.
The Bee could not reach Walsh on Thursday. In interviews with local media, Walsh has said he was driving on the freeway Tuesday when three men in an SUV pulling a car dolly came up quickly behind him and started yelling and flashing obscene gestures.
He said he sped up on eastbound Interstate 80 to try to avoid a confrontation but pulled over near the Applegate truck scales when the SUV did not slow down and cut off his vehicle.
Walsh said the men attacked him and punched his face and body - leaving him with a head gash, swollen jaw and bruised kidneys - before throwing him down an embankment and driving off. He said he was able to get the SUV license plate number, which he gave to CHP officers who were called by witnesses to the attack.
The California Highway Patrol confirmed three men - including a man, his son and the son's friend - were involved in the confrontation but declined to identify them.
The investigating officer has spoken to the father and "one or two witnesses" who saw the fight, CHP Officer Dave Martinez, a spokesman, said Thursday.
The investigator plans to speak to others who may have seen what happened on the freeway before the confrontation, Martinez said.
"We want to find out what was said and what happened on the road before they pulled over," the CHP spokesman said.
The investigating officer likely will submit his report early next week, "and then it will be up to the DA to determine if any charges will be filed," Martinez added.
Call The Bee's Robert D. Dávila, (916) 321-1077.
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