LINDON, Utah (ABC4) — A 21-year-old man from Utah County is facing charges of attempted murder and felony discharge of a firearm after he was cut off on I-15 on Monday, July 22.
According to court documents, Graham Alejandro Platner was driving on an off-ramp when another driver cut in front of him and flipped him off. In response, Platner allegedly grabbed for his gun and fired a single shot toward the other vehicle.
Platner went home after the shooting and allegedly told his parents he had made a mistake.
A deputy with the Utah Highway Patrol later arrived and spoke to Platner’s mother who explained she knew what her son had done. By the time officers had arrived, Platner was already speaking to his father about how to turn himself in.
When interviewed, Platner told officers that he knew there was a man and a woman in the other car. The 21-year-old allegedly admitted to firing the gun but he wasn’t sure where the bullet had landed.
Utah Highway Patrol was able to find the victims involved and reported finding their car with a single bullet hole on the passenger side. Neither victim was injured in the shooting.
Platner was booked into the Utah County Jail on the aforementioned felony charges.
Earlier this month, Utah’s new law bringing harsher punishments to aggressive drivers went into effect. Under the new law, those found to have acted in road rage could face increased fines and sentences, if convicted.
According to data from the Utah Department of Transportation, there were 27 deaths related to aggressive driving in 2023. So far in 2024, there have been three attributed to road rage.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Post a Comment