Kankakee Man Arrested After Violent Road Rage Incident

UPDATE: A violent road rage incident in Kankakee on November 6, 2023, has resulted in the arrest of a local man, George D. Gaus, aged 48. Authorities confirm that Gaus faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon following a heated altercation reported around 11:35 a.m. at the intersection of West Hickory Street and South Wall Street.

Witnesses report that Gaus was involved in a traffic collision near the 900 block of West Station Street before pursuing the other vehicle to the 1000 block of West Hickory Street. Here, he claimed to have been violently attacked by Malachi T.G. Birgans, who allegedly punched, choked, and kicked Gaus in the face.

While Gaus communicated with responding officers, Birgans approached and reportedly admitted to the assault, continuing to threaten Gaus despite police commands to step back. Birgans was swiftly arrested and taken to the Jerome Combs Detention Center, where he was issued a notice to appear and later released.

However, this incident escalated further, involving another victim who expressed fear for her life during the altercation. She reported that Gaus struck her vehicle multiple times, causing it to collide with another car. Visible injuries, including bleeding from her left eye and swelling to her head, were noted by police, highlighting the incident’s disturbing nature.

A witness corroborated the victim’s account, stating they observed Gaus intentionally ramming the victim’s vehicle, triggering a chain reaction. Following this, Gaus voluntarily appeared at the Kankakee Police Department to provide a statement, which led to his eventual arrest.

Both Gaus and Birgans have received notices to appear in court for their respective charges. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment, illustrating the serious consequences of road rage.

As authorities continue to investigate the incident, this serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with aggressive driving behavior. Community members are urged to remain vigilant and report any similar incidents to law enforcement.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.