ST. CLOUD, Fla. – An off-duty Orange County sheriff’s deputy is recovering after he was stabbed during a St. Cloud road rage incident, police said.
Around 12:30 p.m. Monday, Daniel Siekawitch and his wife were traveling west in the center lane on East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway approaching the intersection at Crawford Avenue when a silver Ford pickup pulled into the center lake in front of Siekawitch’s white Tesla sedan, causing him to brake to avoid hitting the pickup truck, a charging affidavit states.
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After becoming engaged in “road rage-type behavior,” Siekawitch pulled over and parked in a nearby parking lot while the driver of the pickup parked along a nearby street, officials said.
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According to the affidavit, as the deputy approached Siekawitch’s vehicle, Siekawitch exited his Tesla and then pulled out a black fixed-blade knife from its sheath and charged toward the deputy before making a slashing motion.
After suffering a small cut to his shoulder, the deputy pulled out a handgun and then identified himself as an Orange County deputy, causing Siekawitch to drop the knife, according to authorities.
When officers arrived at the scene, Siekawitch stated he felt threatened when he saw the deputy approach his vehicle causing him to pull out his knife, the affidavit stated. The deputy said that after he saw Siekawitch pull over into a parking lot, he wanted to apologize for pulling out in front of Siekawitch and to “discuss the incident,” officials said.
The deputy said he had gotten out of his pickup and only stood at the bumper when he saw Siekawitch charge toward him with the knife, the affidavit states.
Siekawitch was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
The identity of the deputy involved has not been released.
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