Big rig driver charged following wild brawl on 288
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The driver of a big rig is now facing criminal charges after an attack on State Highway 288.
According to Houston police, Warren Nelson got out of the truck he was driving after he rear-ended a vehicle. Authorities say he was cussing and became upset when the other driver approached him to exchange information.
Investigators say Nelson attacked that driver and at least two others, punching his fist through the driver's side window of some of their vehicles. Two of the drivers who were attacked report blacking out after being struck.
"I got my phone and I start to record. The guy started hitting the cars and broke the windshields," said Efren Velazquez, who was among those attacked. He says he tried to avoid the impact while he sat in the driver's seat of his vehicle.
"His hand[...]hit me in the face...[there's] something wrong with him," he said.
Velazquez shot video during that attack. While the incident is primarily off-camera, you can briefly see the glass that shattered when Nelson apparently punched right through it.
"I don't know...He's a big guy and I don't want to have trouble. I don't want to have it by him," Velazquez said.
Once police arrived, Nelson was still ranting, they said, even telling officers to shoot him. One officer tased him, and another tried to subdue him with a bean bag gun. Neither worked.
He lunged toward officers and they tackled him until they finally got the upper hand, according to police.
The big rig is owned by HK Transportation of Houston.
Of driver Warren Nelson, owner Havin Watson said, "He's a pretty level headed guy. I haven't had any issues out of him. He's actually a very good worker.... It's all a surprise to me."
Nelson is under arrest and has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault of a public servant.
