Candler man accused of striking elderly driver

ASHEVILLE, NC (AP) — Police say a road-rage incident led to
the arrest of a man who witnesses say bragged about punching a
78-year-old driver.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Thursday that 21-year-old
Kelcey Shifflett of Candler has been charged with simple assault.

Asheville police detective John Rikard said Shifflett was
charged after someone reported hearing him brag about hitting
Gaston Brackett.

Police say a witness also reported seeing Shifflett jump into
Brackett’s back seat when he stopped at an intersection. The
witness said Shifflett hit Brackett in the head. A report says the
older man previously had blown his horn at a car where Shifflett
was a passenger.

Brackett suffered a cut, facial swelling and blurred vision.

Shifflett has denied the charges. It wasn’t clear whether he has
an attorney.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)