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St. George, Utah man arrested a road rage assault and child abuse after use of an air horn

St. George man arrested in road rage following use of an airhorn

St. George Road Rage Incident: What Utah Road Rage Law Teaches Us

Over the weekend in St. George, Utah, a 32-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attacking two juveniles, ages 17 and 18, following a road rage encounter. This case highlights how Utah Road Rage Law applies and why proper training—such as a Utah Concealed Carry Permit Class—is essential for anyone who carries a firearm or wants to understand use of force law.

What Provoked the Attack?

According to the police report, the two juveniles blew an air horn at the suspect while driving by. Instead of contacting law enforcement, the 32-year-old male, identified as Kenneth Cutler, located the teens a short time later at a gas station on East Riverside Drive.

Witnesses reported that Cutler rushed at the young men in the parking lot, allegedly body-slamming both of them to the ground. The 17-year-old victim was reportedly yelling, “I’m 17” during the assault.

The Suspect’s Statement

Police interviewed Cutler, who claimed that one of the teens “took a step” toward him, which he perceived as a threat. He admitted to seeing “red” and believing he was in a fight, which led him to slam both juveniles.

Charges Filed

Cutler was arrested and booked on the following charges:

  • Assault (2 counts, Class B misdemeanor) – The use of force here was not legally justified. Simply being angry or perceiving a “step” as a threat does not meet the threshold for lawful self-defense.

  • Child Abuse (1 count, Class B misdemeanor) – Because one victim was under 18, this elevated the seriousness of the charge.

  • Road Rage Enhancement – Under Utah Road Rage Law, each misdemeanor was enhanced one degree, upgrading them to Class A misdemeanors.

Potential Penalties If Convicted

  • Up to 2 years and 6 months in jail (combined charges).

  • Fines up to $5,750 or more.

  • Possible driver’s license suspension and vehicle impoundment under Utah’s road rage enhancement rules.

Were the Juveniles Guilty of Anything?

Yes. Utah Code 76-9-102 (Disorderly Conduct) covers “making unreasonable noises in a public place” or engaging in physically offensive acts. Blowing an air horn without legitimate purpose can be charged as a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine.

While the juveniles could have been charged, their actions did not justify the violent response they received.

What Should the Suspect Have Done Instead?

Instead of taking matters into his own hands, Cutler should have:

  • Taken down a description of the suspects and their vehicle.

  • Contacted law enforcement to report the disorderly conduct.

By escalating the situation himself, he now faces serious criminal consequences.

Legal Lessons from This Case

This incident is a textbook example of why understanding Utah Road Rage Law is crucial. Reasonable force is only justified when there is an immediate threat of unlawful force or risk of bodily harm. None of those conditions existed in this case, which explains why the charges were filed.

How a Utah Concealed Carry Permit Class Helps

A Utah Concealed Carry Permit Class does more than teach firearm safety—it prepares students to handle real-world legal scenarios like this. Topics include:

  • Proper judgment in use of force.

  • Utah self-defense laws.

  • De-escalation skills to avoid turning minor incidents into criminal charges.

If Cutler had understood these legal boundaries, he might have avoided the mistakes that now put his freedom at risk.

Final Thoughts

This St. George incident demonstrates how quickly poor decisions during a road rage encounter can spiral into criminal charges. By understanding Utah Road Rage Law and enrolling in a Utah Concealed Carry Permit Class, you can learn how to make lawful, safe, and responsible choices when confronted with stressful situations.

👉 Take my Utah Concealed Carry Permit Class today at GunClassUtah.com to stay informed and protect your rights. We offer these Utah concealed carry permit classes in SLC, Utah and St. George, Utah at the Hampton Inn meeting room on 1250 W Sunriver Drive.

The author Phil Snyder is a Retired Unified Police Officer of Salt Lake City, and a Utah and Texas concealed carry permit instructor