Blake Gaberiel Mecham, 19, is facing a third-degree felony in connection with an alleged road rage-turned-altercation. The Utah Highway Patrol says it ended when another driver was knocked unconscious.
In his statement to a state trooper, the alleged victim said the trouble began when Mecham cut him off on Highway 40, just before turning east onto state Route 189. The driver said he then pulled up next to Mecham at a traffic light and threw up his hands. He claims Mecham responded with obscene hand gestures and then sped off.
According to the alleged victim, he continued to drive west, but purposely stayed behind Mecham “to be safe. ” He said when Mecham pulled over, he pulled in behind him. Mecham told law enforcement he believed the other driver was “chasing him” and pulled over to allow him to pass.
Both men then exited their vehicles and began arguing. The alleged victim said he asked Mecham what his problem was; Mecham then asked the man if he wanted to fight.
Mecham told law enforcement the other driver “tapped” him on the chest, so he “just hit him two, maybe three times, and it knocked him out,” court records say. Mecham claims he acted in self-defense and only intended to “diffuse” the situation, not knock the other driver out.
The man said he doesn’t remember ever touching Mecham.
One witness told the highway patrol they saw the two drivers standing outside their vehicles in the rain, and watched Mecham “punch” the other driver. The witness said he saw the driver “lock up and fall straight back flat.”
The witness also said he saw Mecham get in his vehicle, then get back out to check on the other driver before leaving the scene.
When a state trooper arrived, the driver had regained consciousness. The trooper said there was “a pool of blood and a large pool of vomit” on the ground.
Medical personnel transported the driver to Timpanogos Regional Medical Center in Orem. According to the probable cause statement, a cut on his head required 11 staples.
Mecham is charged in 4th District Court with road rage assault with injury, a third-degree felony carrying a possible punishment of five years in prison and fines. He’s also charged with a misdemeanor for driving on a “denied license.”
Mecham was booked into jail, but released on the condition he show up to court and avoid contact with the other driver.
The alleged road rage incident comes as a different high-profile road rage case makes its way through 4th District Court.
Greg Kyle DeBoer was charged with felony obstruction of justice in December 2024 after he buried the gun he said he used to fatally shoot Hideout resident Patrick Hayes. DeBoer claimed he fired in self-defense and was not charged in connection with Hayes’ death.
Another road rage incident occurred in Heber on April 20. Heber resident Loren Ray Russell, 43, is facing felony charges after allegedly accelerating toward a biker in his truck and breaking the man’s leg.
