According to Houston police, at about 6:20pm Monday, a 42-year-old man driving a black Chevrolet Tahoe, and Johnathon Darling, 28, driving a red Ford Explorer, were northbound on the Gulf Freeway service road near Monroe when the Tahoe struck the rear of the Explorer. Both men got out of their vehicles and the man reportedly verbally threatened Darling.
As Darling retreated and asked his wife to call 911, police say the man struck him in the back of the head and face. Darling fell to the ground and the man continued to punch him. Both men went to the ground and Darling managed to get the man in a headlock. Fearing he would be assaulted again, Darling reportedly held the man in a headlock until HPD officers arrived.
As officers attempted to separate the two men, they noticed the 42-year-old man was having trouble breathing. HFD paramedics were called to the scene and transported him to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been released.
Darling was not seriously injured.
The case has been referred to a Harris County grand jury.
