Connellsville man accused in road rage incident in South Greensburg

WPA 7/2A Connellsville man is accused of causing $2,680 in damage to another motorist’s vehicle during a road rage incident last month in South Greensburg.

Borough police said Michael James Gravely, 36, directed racial slurs at the other driver while both were stopped at a red light on Route 119 at Huff Avenue. Gravely was arrested Monday on charges of ethnic intimidation, child endangerment, terroristic threats and related offenses.

The motorist told police he was driving a Dodge Ram north on Route 119 at 5:30 p.m. June 20 and passed Gravely’s Chevrolet Equinox, when Gravely started tailgating the pickup, according to court papers. The two vehicles stopped next to each other at the red light when Gravely, who is white, got out of his SUV, threatened the other driver and shattered the driver’s side window, police said. A child was in his SUV.

Gravely then drove away. Authorities sought help from the public to identify him the next day using photographs the pickup driver took. During an interview with police, Gravely denied using a racial slur and claimed that a trailer on the pickup truck hit his vehicle. Police said no damage was found on his SUV.

Gravely is free on $7,500 unsecured bail. He could not be reached and did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A July 10 preliminary hearing is set.