Lance Hamel didn't know why another driver was following him through North Portland, honking his horn and waving his hands into the air.

But Hamel knew better than to stop. So he drove to his destination, which was a home he was remodeling.

The other driver -- Shawn Mitchell Brockway, 52 -- followed him there. He accused Hamel of failing to yield to two bicyclists. Hamel didn't remember seeing any cyclists. An argument ensued.

Brockway started to snap photos of Hamel; and Hamel stepped back to memorize Brockway's "Share the Road" license plates.

That's when Brockway got back in his car and accelerated, knocking the 38-year-old Hamel onto his hood and driving more than 100 feet before making a sharp turn that flung Hamel onto the pavement.

Brockway drove off. Hamel ended up with a fractured tibia and plenty of bruises.

On Thursday, Brockway offered no explanation for his outburst moments before Multnomah County Circuit Judge Kathleen Dailey approved a deal worked out by the prosecution and defense: 30 days in jail, anger-management counseling, an apology letter, $1,977 in restitution, three years of probation and a five-year driver's license suspension. Brockway must report to jail in two weeks to start serving his jail sentence.

When asked if he wished to speak, Brockway shook his head. "I think I'm OK," he said.

"Well, I don't think you're OK," the judge said. "When you carry someone on the hood of your car for 100 feet before you dump them off, something is not right. ...Frankly, Mr. Brockway, you're lucky you're not here on a manslaughter charge or a homicide charge. ...This is not how sane people conduct themselves."

told Brockway that he wasn't obligated to speak. But she urged him -- or his attorney -- to supply answers, such as how Brockway planned to write an apology letter when he was pleading no contest to third-degree assault. A no contest plea doesn't admit guilt, it only concedes that the prosecution would likely win its case at trial.

Brockway's attorney, Tom MacNair, didn't answer the judge's question. Neither did Brockway, although he did indicate that he didn't agree with the prosecution's version of facts. Prosecutor Chris Ramras was prepared to call on two City of Portland employees who'd seen all or part of the encounter. One employee said she saw Brockway purposely drive into Hamel.

Some time after the argument, Brockway called 9-1-1 to say that Hamel had jumped onto his car and tried to pry off his windshield wipers. The call made it easy for police to find Brockway -- because no one had gotten his license plate number.

Hamel, who came to court with his wife, said Brockway's conviction was vindication. "I felt like no one was believing me because it (the story) was so outrageous," he said.

He's grateful that he survived. He's seen his 14-year-old daughter start high school and his sister have twins. Although his fractured tibia has prevented him from climbing ladders, he's still been able to work.

"He (Brockway) didn't care that I'm the sole provider for my family," Hamel said.

He's had time to reflect on that day, Hamel said, "on how a normal day can suddenly go to hell really fast."

-- Aimee Green