Brentwood Physician Charged with Two Felony Counts of Reckless Driving
Dr. Christopher Thompson, a Brentwood doctor was charged with abruptly stopping his car in front of two cyclist, in what might have been a road rage incident. Dr. Thompson has previously been investigated for a similar road rage incident against cyclist in March of 2008, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Dr. Thompson faces two felony counts of reckless driving causing injury and battery causing serious bodily injury in an accident that occurred July 4, 2008. The Los Angels County District Attorney’s Office is alleging that Thompson slammed on his brakes directly in front of two bicyclist who were riding downhill on Mandeville Canyon Road. The bicyclist, without time to stop or avoid Thompson’s red Infiniti collided with the vehicle with one rider crashing through the read window and the other crashing to the pavement.
Ron Peterson, 40 who crashed through the window suffered broken teeth, broken nose and cuts to the face. Christian Stoehr, 29 suffered a shoulder separation which will require surgery. Both riders describe riding down the hill when they heard a honk and someone yell profanities at their direction. The car that honked, then pulled right in front of them and immediately slammed on their brakes.
Thompson, who lives on Mandeville Canyon Road is an owner of a medical documentation company in Woodland Hills. Thompson is out on bail and is awaiting a court date on August 1, 2008 where he will be arraigned on the felony complaint. If convicted, Thompson faces up to 7 years in prison.
In addition to any criminal charges, Dr. Thompson also faces discipline by the California Medical Board. Such discipline can include license suspension all the way to total revocation of all privileges to practice medicine in the state.
