John Melvin Karnes Jr., 54, of Austin was charged on Monday in Mower County District Court with three felony counts related to an alleged road rage incident in May.

Karnes was charged with felony third-degree assault-substantial bodily harm, felony criminal vehicular operation-substantial bodily harm-gross negligence, and felony criminal vehicular operation-substantial bodily harm-driver who causes collision leaves scene.’

He was also charged with misdemeanor fifth-degree assault-inflict or attempt bodily harm and misdemeanor traffic-reckless driving-drives consciously disregarding a substantial or unjustifiable risk.

According to the court complaint, officers responded to a road rage call at 10:21 a.m. on May 28 in the 1300 block of 12th Street Southwest. Dispatch advised that two males were yelling and several people had called 911.

They arrived at the scene and spoke to a man who had visible injuries, the complaint states. He said he was driving north on 12th Street Southwest when he got behind a van driven by Karnes. He said the van was going about 10 miles per hour, so he tried to pass it. The van then slammed on the brakes, almost causing a collision. Karnes allegedly got out of the van and started yelling and swearing at the man. The man alleged that Karnes pushed him and a motorcyclist told Karnes to stop. The man then alleged Karnes punched him in the face, so he punched him back. Karnes then allegedly placed the man in a headlock, got back in the van and began to drive. The man said he thought Karnes had reached speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour before letting him go, causing him to tumble on the street.

Police photographed the man’s injuries, which medical personnel classified as “substantial bodily harm,” the states.

Police spoke to the man’s passenger, who said they were driving around trying to get their infant child to go to sleep. According to the complaint, she gave police a similar account of the incident, saying she could see the man alongside the van “kind of flailing.”

Police spoke to the motorcyclist, who also gave a similar account, the complaint states. However, police re-interviewed him on May 29, when he told police Karnes said “I’m done” or “I give” while the alleged victim was hitting him. He said he could not tell if the man was holding onto the van or if Karnes was holding onto him.

Police spoke to Karnes, who they described as “extremely upset, yelling, slapping himself in the head, swinging his arms, and sweating profusely,” the complaint states. Karnes said he pulled over and stopped when he saw the car trying to pass him and that the other driver got out and started yelling at him. He allegedly said the man was in his face, so he punched him because he was afraid he would hit him first. He said he left because he was afraid he would be assaulted.

Police observed Karnes had a bloody lip and bloody scrapes on his right elbow.

The alleged victim said medical personnel told him he had torn ligaments and a sprained neck, according to the complaint. He told police Karnes allegedly bit him during the incident and he was given an antibiotic to prevent infection.

Two other witnesses, a woman and a juvenile male, told police they saw the two men punching each other, then Karnes holding the alleged victim in a “choke hold” while the van was moving.

A review of Karnes’ criminal history shows prior convictions for disorderly conduct and criminal sexual conduct.

Karnes will appear in court again on Aug. 20.