ATHENS, Ga. — What started as a road-rage incident between drivers ended up with one of them jailed on drug charges.
Athens-Clarke County police were called to the GA 10 Loop entrance ramp Monday afternoon for a possible fight, according to the police report.
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The driver of a red Mini Cooper, Ronny Rodriguez, complained that the driver of a silver Nissan Versa, Michael McNaughton, was swerving all over the road.
Rodriguez told police that McNaughton swerved and hit his Mini Cooper on the Inner Loop. Then, McNaughton approached the Mini Cooper, grabbing the keys from the car and tossed them in the woods. The action prompted a fight.
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McNaughton’s story to police was different. He claimed Rodriguez drove onto the grassy shoulder to pass him, causing the Mini Cooper to hit his Nissan. McNaughton also claimed that Rodriguez banged on his window, begging him not to call police.
McNaughton admitted that he grabbed the Mini Cooper keys to keep Rodriguez from driving off.
Officers found pills in Rodriguez’s Mini Cooper. Rodriguez said they were from his grandmother. He told police he knew that he was not suppose to have them.
Police arrested him for possession of a schedule II controlled substance, drugs not in the proper container and improper passing. He was booked into the Clarke County Jail.
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