Multiple Road Rage Suspects Awaiting Court Dates

Since August 2023, at least four subjects have been charged in road rage incidents in Crawford and Franklin counties. 

All four cases are still working through the court system and point to 

The Independent News attempted to track cases that have involved assault or unlawful use of a weapon that stemmed from an angry motorist.

Two of the incidents happened in Sullivan, one in Villa Ridge and another between Bourbon and Leasburg.

All four seem to have originated on Interstate 44.

One victim has been shot, one victim had their windshield shot through and one victim was held up at gunpoint. 

Here are the four cases and where they stand today.

Mark Rupp: Rupp was charged in August 2023 after he allegedly held a victim at gunpoint on Pine Ridge Drive in Sullivan. 

Rupp faces charges for unlawful use of a weapon, fourth-degree assault and operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner.

Rupp is scheduled to appear in court on May 14 for a criminal setting.

The probable cause statement says Rupp followed a victim on the North Service Road to Pine Ridge. The victim stopped because a vehicle in front was making a turn. Rupp passed the victim on the left and struck the vehicle. 

He jumped out with a loaded gun and ordered the victim out of their vehicle. The victim contacted police, who arrived and arrested Rupp.

Rupp claimed the vehicle cut him off in traffic and “brake checked” him.

Vernon Crutcher: Crutcher is a truck driver from Georgia who allegedly shot a fellow truck driver on Oct. 31 on Interstate 44 in Sullivan.

Crutcher has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

A Franklin County grand jury indicted him on the counts Nov. 15.

His bond was reduced from $75,000 to $50,000 on Nov. 30 and he posted bond Dec. 1.

Crutcher pleaded not guilty on Jan. 23. His next court date is July 9.

Crutcher is accused of shooting the victim in the lower abdomen. Witnesses saw Crutcher walk up to the passenger side of the victim’s truck, pull out a gun and fire. 

The victim tried to get a picture of Crutcher, who walked back towards him and held up the gun again. 

Crutcher had allegedly been driving aggressively. The two trucks pulled over on the shoulder, where Crutcher confronted the driver.

Crutcher claims self-defense and that the victim swung a knife at him. The highway patrol said he had two “superficial cuts” on his hand.

Thomas Karner: Karner has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon and property damage after allegedly shooting a victim’s windshield out on Dec. 10 in Villa Ridge.

Karner posted bond on Dec. 12 and he has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 9.

The highway patrol said Karner fled the scene after shooting the victim’s vehicle. Law enforcement tracked him down. Karner claimed the victim struck him with his truck.

Parrish Fastenau: Fastenau allegedly brandished a gun at a vehicle with three subjects, including a juvenile, on Interstate 44 between Bourbon and Leasburg on Feb. 22.

Fastenau has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon.

His next court date is April 25.

Fastenau claimed he was “brake checked” by the victim.