'Road Rage Lady' in Viral Video Arrested, but for What?
A Hawaii woman dubbed the "road rage lady" has turned herself in to police after video footage of her confrontation with another driver racked up nearly 1 million views on YouTube.
Kimberly Ong reportedly became furious when Ryan Arakaki -- the man who filmed and posted the video online -- cut her off in traffic, reports Hawaii News Now. After being tailgated and honked at by Ong, Arakaki decided to begin recording video on his cell phone, capturing his confrontation with Ong after he eventually pulled to the side of the road.
What charge is Ong now facing for her 15 minutes of viral video fame?
Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle
Here's the video that made the "road rage lady" famous (warning: there's foul language involved):
Despite the dangerous driving captured in the video, Ong's criminal trouble stems from after she got out of her car and approached Arakaki. Ong was booked for unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, which makes it a crime to intentionally or knowingly enter someone else's motor vehicle without being invited or authorized with the intent to commit a crime against a person or property.
In the video, Ong appears to reach into Arakaki's car for his phone. Even this minor entry could suffice for an unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle conviction, if it can be proved that Ong intended to commit a crime -- such as assaulting Arakaki or taking his property -- while doing so. Unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle is a Class C felony in Hawaii, with a conviction punishable by up to five years in prison.
Is Filming Other Drivers Legal?
Arakaki, however, may have also broken the law by recording while driving. Generally, use of handheld electronic devices while driving can result in a citation under a state's distracted driving laws. And Hawaii's penal code specifically states, "No person shall operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device."
Still, no charges have been filed against Arakaki. Ong is currently free pending further investigation.
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Related Resources:
- 'Road Rage Lady' Arrested In Hawaii After Video Goes Viral (The Huffington Post)
- Viral Video of Scooter Attack Leads to DUI Charge (FindLaw's Blotter)
- Viral 'Instant Karma' Road Rage Video Gets Driver Arrested (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
- Viral Moose Chase Video Gets Snowboarder Fined (FindLaw's Legal Grounds)