D’Angelo Groce, 41, from Oak Lawn, Illinois (Chicago suburb), faces two counts of aggravated battery after a late November road rage attack at a gas station intersection. He allegedly cut off a couple’s car, shoved the wife (Deborah), then brutally beat her 73-year-old husband Joseph—who has dementia—leaving him with a broken nose, broken jaw, two broken teeth, and hand scrapes.
Incident Breakdown
- Trigger: Joseph and Deborah tried merging into a right-turn lane when Groce’s truck sped from a gas station and rammed them.
- Escalation: Deborah confronted him (“What the hell, dude?”); Groce pushed her down, scattering her glasses and phone. Joseph intervened to help, prompting Groce to punch him to the ground.
- Threat: As Joseph struggled up, Groce allegedly yelled, “Get up again, mf–er, and I’m going to finish you.” Deborah pleaded, “Stop hitting him!” Witnesses called police; Groce was arrested on site.
Victim Impact and Costs
Joseph endured severe pain amid his dementia, with Deborah fearing for his life: “I thought he was going to kill him.” Repairs hit over $2,000; dental surgery cost $7,000 without insurance. She called it “totally unnecessary” during holidays.
Defendant Background
Groce has priors: 2010 burglary conviction, 2012 domestic violence, 2020 aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle. He’s held without bond in Cook County Jail; next court date December 19.
This fits a surge in road rage violence targeting vulnerable drivers. Noticed more incidents on South Carolina interstates like I-26 or I-95 lately? Want local stats or similar cases?
