Men Involved in Road Rage Incident with City Council Member Speak Out, Nick Ibarra Issues a Statement

Tom Russell says he saw an open beer bottle in the front of Ibarra’s car. He says during the argument he was badly scraped and bruised. “I was pulling as hard as I could but I couldn't get Brian loose,” Russell said. “He just kept going faster and faster.”

Ibarra would not say how he was involved in the altercation. He did release an official statement. "I was involved in an unfortunate accident. I have given my report to police," Ibarra said. “I believe it will be resolved. It is in the police department’s hands.”

Russell and Patterson both went to the hospital. They were treated and released. They would only say their relative was driving the car involved in the initial incident with Ibarra. They say they went outside to see what was going on between the drivers of both cars. “While Mr. Ibarra was drinking and driving, he didn't like the way this relative was driving, so instead of calling police he took it upon himself to follow this individual,” Patterson said.

Ibarra says the accusations are unsubstantiated. He said he cooperated with police. Ibarra says he did take a test to see if he had been drinking and was not arrested. Police say they are investigating the incident as an assault. They say it is unclear who assaulted whom. "There are quite a few witnesses we're interviewing. We are canvassing the neighborhood to talk to everybody that we can,” Moore said. “We are trying to identify all the witnesses we can."

Moore says someone did make an accusation that alcohol was involved. He says during the preliminary investigation officers did not find proof of that. Because no one was arrested, police are not releasing the names of anyone involved or what their involvement was. The investigation is ongoing.

Mayor Jim O'Neal says Ibarra told him he was concerned for his own personal safety. O’Neal called the situation a personal matter. He said Ibarra did explain the incident to him. O’Neal said he was satisfied with his explanation and confident the situation will work itself out.