Team drivers John Burton Freeman and Steven Bregger were long-time friends and team drivers, but that friendship ended when Bregger attacked Freeman and Freeman, in turn, stabbed Bregger.
The incident occurred in Gap, Pennsylvania on June 17 2011, when Freeman was driving, Bregger criticized his driving skills. The argument escalated and Bregger punched Freeman in the face.
According to Landcaster Online, the two men exited the truck and “squared off like boxers.”
Freeman then pulled a knife and stabbed Bregger in the stomach. As a result, Bregger had to have his spleen removed during emergency surgery.
Freeman was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault and simple assault. Freeman spent 10 weeks in jail until the $130,000 bail was paid.
Freeman faced a 20 year prison sentence.
Last week, a jury acquitted Freeman of the charges after they decided Freeman had acted in self defense.
“Defense lawyers argued that Freeman, a diabetic who uses a pacemaker, feared for his own safety,” Landcaster Online reported.
Driving can be a hard, stressful profession and being confined to a small space with another person can amplify problems. Drivers, do you have any advice for how best to deal with team driving?