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The victim of a brutal road rage beating in Spanaway tells Ron and Don he's slowly improving, but seeing his badly beaten face was "traumatizing" (Bradford family photo)

Road rage victim says trauma of seeing his badly beaten face was 'horrifying'

BY Josh Kerns  on February 21, 2013 @ 5:55 pm (Updated: 6:38 am - 2/22/13 )

The victim of a brutal road rage beating in Spanaway says he might have deserved to get punched, but not beaten nearly to death.

Scott Bradford joined KIRO Radio's Ron and Don Thursday for the first time since his release from the hospital. Speaking gingerly through a broken jaw wired shut, Bradford recounted what happened when he accidentally cut a guy off as he drove last Monday. He says the guy kept tailgating and wouldn't let it go.

"He was riding my ass and I shot put on my brakes because it pissed me off," he said. But then the guy started chasing him, and Bradford did all he could to get away.

"He wouldn't let off. I took a right, tried to lose him. I took a left, tried to lose him. I went fast, tried to lose him. I made U-turns in the middle of the highway trying to lose him."

After about 15 minutes, Bradford decided to just pull over, step out of his car and apologize. It was a big mistake. The suspect jumped out and smashed him in the face, then beat him repeatedly until a disabled Vietnam vet pulled over and interceded. The attacker fled.

"Maybe I deserved a punch in the face and then a walkaway, but he beat me, I'm pretty sure he thought I was dead and that was good enough," said Bradford.

Now, he just wants the guy caught. So far, police say they still don't have a good lead.

"If he gets in a situation like that again he might kill somebody for sure."

Bradford is now recovering at home from the broken jaw and multiple fractures in his face. He's hoping to avoid more surgeries, and says he was traumatized to see pictures of his badly beaten face after the attack.

"I was horrified when they showed me the pictures, when I first came into the hospital. Man, it was traumatizing, my eyes were just glued shut, tubes coming out of my face."

A reward fund has grown to nearly $4,000 to help catch the attacker, and police continue seeking any tips that can help identify him. You can make a donation or offer tips at the Crimestoppers Tacoma/Pierce County website.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (8)


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  • williamohoh wrote...
    even if this animal gets caught
    February 22, 2013 8:01 am
    it will only get a year or two in jail. If it would have stolen his wallet, it would get more time. Violent, brutal animals must be put away for long period of times. They ruin many lives. Enough
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  • Oly80 wrote...
    agreed, William...
    February 22, 2013 9:23 am
    but, i guess we've learned nothing from the little punks who killed tuba man and are ALL in trouble NOW, years later after serving practically NO time in juvee.

    find this dude. lock him up. throw away the key.

    were's the real justice when you need it?

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  • Saltchucker wrote...
    Mr Bradford.
    February 22, 2013 10:57 am
    You DID NOT deserve to get punched. The animal who attacked you deserved to get shot.
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  • Sean wrote...
    This slimeball punk
    February 22, 2013 12:00 pm
    quite likely didn't arrive that morning from Miami -- he's probably often in the area, and SOMEone in that area knows something. The cowardice and spinelessness and immorality of people who allow slime like this is beyond words. Someone, come on, have the tiniest amount of ba11s and backbone and turn this P O S in TODAY.
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  • Big Zipper wrote...
    poor guy
    February 22, 2013 2:05 pm
    I guess we only have one side of the story though... but still a brutal beating
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  • hpitantso wrote...
    Road rage
    February 22, 2013 2:26 pm
    It could be said you'd be suprised who's had road rage , the truth is most of us have . My rule is I can't drive backwards so it some is on my tail I drive forward or change lanes even pull over so the other person can get where their going. People get mad because your going to slow,or in the way,or they might really need to get somewhere easier for me to get out of someone with issues. A lot of dumb men and women give the finger to someone without understanding it can descend to personal phycial attacks. Most of the time it takes two. That doesn't make what happen to this guy right at all, but it took two.
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  • southi5 wrote...
    hpitantso- I agree
    February 22, 2013 3:45 pm
    I should've added that to mine too, sucks that guy took a whoopin but it takes two for sure.
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  • southi5 wrote...
    2 things
    February 22, 2013 3:42 pm
    This guy is an idiot, how hard would it have been to call 911 and just keep driving until they caught up? If you're getting out of your car on the side of a road, you better know how to fight. What makes you think a guy who chases you around is going to be a gentleman in a fight. There is always someone out there that is tougher and more insane!
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