Charge filed in local bike rage incident

A Redmond cyclist is facing a felony charge following allegations that he smashed the window of a car that honked at him.

Filing malicious mischief charges, King County prosecutors contend Chad W. Olson, 42, threw his bicycle at a car on Oct. 16 after the Volvo's driver hit the horn.

According to charging documents, Redmond police were called to Grasslawn Park at 7031 148th Ave. N.E. following a report of a road rage incident. The cyclist had fled by the time police arrived.

The driver told police he honked his horn after the cyclist -- since identified as Olson -- "cut (him) off" by swerving into the roadway from the bicycle lane, a Redmond officer told the court.

Olson then chased after the car, pulling up beside the driver-side door when the car stopped for a red light, the officer continued. Olson then spit on the car window, struck the side mirror and circled around the car.

As the driver attempted to pull away, the cyclist threw his bicycle at the side of the car, the officer told the court.

An hour after the incident, Olson arrived at the Redmond Police Department hoping to report a road rage incident.

"Chad (Olson) stated his bike hit (the driver's) vehicle while he was attempting to avoid being hit by the vehicle," the Redmond officer told the court. "He stated any damage that occurred was based on his actions of self defense. …

"He did admit that he hit the driver side mirror out of anger."

Olson declined to make a written statement, the officer added.

The Redmond officer also noted that an examination of the car showed the bicycle must have been elevated when it struck the vehicle, based on the location of the damage. That observation supported the driver's version of events.

Officers found that a significant amount of damage had been done. Repairs were expected to cost $5,700.

Charged with first-degree malicious mischief, Olson has not been jailed.

Check the Seattle 911 crime blog for more Seattle crime news. Visit seattlepi.com's home page for more Seattle news.