http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/21/BAGQDLA06D55.DTL&fee
d=rss.bayarea

Suspected drunk driver injured by his own car

Thursday, September 21, 2006

(09-21) 17:54 PDT CONCORD -- A Concord man who inexplicably drove at a
band of bikers while waving a pool cue in Contra Costa County this
morning suffered minor injuries after he got out of his car, left it
in reverse gear and was struck by his own vehicle, authorities said.

The incident was one of two unrelated events that involved suspected
drunken drivers and disrupted traffic along heavily traveled Highway
4.

At about 9:15 a.m., Richard Brooks, 50, whom authorities said had been
drinking, was driving eastbound on Highway 4 when he saw a group of
motorcycle riders, many of whom were wearing Harley-Davidson attire,
including leather and skull caps, California Highway Patrol Officer
Scott Yox said.

For some reason, Brooks became enraged, waved a pool cue at them and
swerved toward the bikers, who split into two groups to try to get
away, Yox said.

As they approached Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg, Brooks aimed his car
at two bikers who had pulled off the highway, Yox said.

Brooks got out of his car with the pool cue, but before he could do
anything, he was knocked down by his own car, which had been left in
reverse gear, Yox said.

The impact sent Brooks sprawling into traffic. As his car continued in
reverse and hit the center median of Highway 4, some of the bikers
grabbed him and pulled him out of danger, Yox said.

Authorities said they had no idea why Brooks decided to go after the
bikers, who kept calm and didn't assault him in retaliation, Yox said.
"We don't believe they went to fisticuffs with him," he said.

Brooks suffered cuts and scratches and was taken to a Martinez
hospital. He could face charges of assault with a deadly weapon and
drunken driving, Yox said.