Cyclist on car hood

Portland police arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of chasing down a cyclist Sunday and driving off at a high rate of speed -- with the cyclist hanging onto the hood.

James F. Millican was arrested on attempted second-degree assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants, third-degree criminal mischief and reckless driving.

According to a police account, the incident began when the cyclist, Jason Scott Rehnberg, 37, yelled at Millican to slow down as they were traveling near Southeast 58th Avenue and Washington Street, police said. Rehnberg told police that "his remarks may have included profanity," according to a news release.

Millican, angered by the cyclist's remarks, started to chase Rehnberg in his car, police said. Rehnberg biked into the neighborhood to avoid him. After waiting, he returned to Southeast 58th Avenue, police said.

Millican saw the cyclist and allegedly backed his car up to hit Rehnberg, who jumped off the bike just before it was struck by the car, police said.

Rehnberg and two other witnesses tried to block the car, saying they wanted to get the license plate. Millican allegedly drove at the three and struck Rehnberg, who was thrown onto the hood. Rehnberg held onto the windshield wipers as the car traveled at a high rate of speed and took a turn.

The car slowed down enough to let Rehnberg off at Southeast 60th Avenue, police said. He was not injured, according to police. A witness, who videotaped the event, turned the recording over to police.

Hometowns were not immediately available for either man.

Millican was arraigned today on charges of second-degree kidnapping (presumably for the ride on the car) DUII, Reckless Driving and second-degree criminal mischief.



The next court date is July 22. Millican asked the judge: "So I have to stay in jail now...for a whole week?"



The report comes just days after another high-profile road rage incident in which a driver, who also is a longtime cycling advocate, chided a cyclist for blowing through a stop sign. The cyclist responded by throwing his bike at the motorist's car and then allegedly striking the driver with the bike.

The incident sparked hundreds of comments to online sites, reflecting tension between cyclists and motorists about how to share the road. Many of the comments complained about how the incident was covered. Read more reaction at BikePortland.org.

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-- Helen Jung; helenjung@news.oregonian.com