Battle Ground man accused in road rage assault

A Battle Ground man who allegedly struck another man with a wooden bat during an apparent road rage incident Saturday appeared in Clark County Superior Court.

Louis A. Bobo, 67, appeared Monday on suspicion of second-degree assault.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Bobo and the alleged victim, Delbert Bartram, were both driving east on West Main Street in Battle Ground approaching the intersection for Parkway Avenue. Bartram realized he was in the right-turn-only lane and attempted to change lanes in front of Bobo, who sounded his horn and moved over to avoid a collision.

Bartram applied his brakes to avoid hitting Bobo and got behind him. Bobo then pulled over and attempted to get Bartram to do the same, the affidavit said. Bartram passed Bobo and pulled over a short distance away.

Bobo allegedly left his vehicle with a wooden club he called “the tire thumper.” Then both men walked toward each other. They exchanged heated words and then Bobo struck Bartram twice, once in the arm and head, according to court documents.

Bartram said he followed Bobo after the man drove off and called 911. He followed Bobo to a church near Northeast 249th Street and 142nd Avenue, where Bobo pulled over again, left his vehicle and waived the club at Bartram. He allegedly yelled to come at him again, court records state.

A woman who was driving by saw the assault, according to court documents.

Court records show that Bobo was granted supervised release and plans to hire his own attorney. He will be arraigned May 2.