Man Arrested for Throwing Firewood Through Window of Passing Truck

Police say it arose over a perceived speeding violation.

Truck involved in the incident

(MILWAUKIE, Ore.) - Police in Milwaukie arrested a man Saturday after he allegedly threw a piece of firewood through the window of a truck he thought was driving too fast on his street.

Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas Sheriff's Office says that around 11:00 AM Saturday, 39-year old Willliam Walter Wiley reportedly heaved a piece of firewood through the driver's-side window of a speeding truck -- injuring its occupants.

Strovink says Wiley was arrested and cited.

"Wiley was reportedly enraged over what he perceived as a speeding vehicle in his neighborhood. He heaved a piece of firewood through the speeding truck's driver's-side window -- striking and injuring its driver, identified as 26-year old Christopher Jerome Neal, and the driver's brother and passenger, 31-year old Charles Walter Neal." Strovink says the estimated damage to the vehicle is $200.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputies arrived at the scene at SE Hollywood and SE Maple Street in Milwaukie after being called to the incident.

Christopher Jerome Neal stated that he and his brother, Charles work as independent delivery drivers. Christopher explained he was driving his truck approximately 20 mph along SE Maple St to the point where it intersects with SE Hollywood.

39-year old Willliam Walter Wiley

Strovink says that at this point, "Neal said that a male subject -- identified as William Walter Wiley -- came running up to the side of his truck yelling at Neal to slow down. Wiley was further described to be carrying a large piece of firewood in his hand -- and, without warning, Wiley hurled this firewood through the driver's-side window."

"This chunk of firewood was propelled through the glass and struck Christopher Neal's collarbone; shards of broken glass also cut the fingers of Charles Neal."

Christopher Neal was reportedly complaining about collarbone pain at the crime scene, and Charles Neal had the minor glass cuts on his hand, which were photographed by deputies according to Strovink.

He says William Wiley was then contacted by deputies at his residence at 5828 SE Maple Street.

"Wiley told deputies the vehicle had been traveling down SE Maple Street while he was working on his automobile outside, in the driveway of his residence. He said he heard people yelling for the truck to slow down, and said he observed this truck pass his home traveling at speeds of at least 25 mph."

Wiley told Strovink he chased after the truck while yelling at the occupants to slow down. Wiley said the moving truck brushed his pants leg -- and Wiley then threw the chunk of wood through the window of the truck.

Deputies arrested William Walter Wiley and transported him to Clackamas County Jail, where he was cited and released on the two counts of Assault 4 and a charge of Criminal Mischief 2.

William Walter Wiley is set to appear in Clackamas County Circuit Court on March 20th at 3:00 PM.