Arizona Driver Sentenced for Fatally Punching Woman’s Boyfriend After She Honked at Him

A man from Mesa, Arizona, Frank Lawrence III, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for assaulting a driver and fatally striking her boyfriend with his truck in a road rage incident in 2020. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced the sentencing, stating that Lawrence pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault for the death of James Ackerman Jr. and the assault of Carolyn Bui.

The incident occurred on the evening of Jan. 11, 2020, when Bui honked at Lawrence for driving into her lane as she was about to make a left turn. Lawrence followed Bui to her apartment complex and proceeded to do “donuts” in the parking lot before getting out of his car and assaulting Bui by punching her in the face. Bui’s boyfriend, Ackerman, attempted to record Lawrence’s license plate, leading to Lawrence chasing him down with his truck and ultimately causing his death.

Following the fatal incident, Lawrence fled the scene, but was later located and arrested by Mesa police on Oct. 1, 2020, on an initial charge of first-degree murder. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell condemned Lawrence’s actions, stating that road rage is a criminal offense that occurs all too frequently in the state of Arizona, with tragic consequences such as the loss of innocent lives.

The sentencing of Frank Lawrence III to 25 years in prison serves as a consequence for his reckless and violent behavior that resulted in the death of James Ackerman Jr. and the assault of Carolyn Bui during a road rage incident. The guilty plea to second-degree murder and aggravated assault highlights the severity of Lawrence’s actions and the impact they had on the victims and their loved ones, underscoring the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.

As road rage incidents continue to be a prevalent issue in Arizona, the case of Frank Lawrence III serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with this type of behavior and the serious consequences that can result from acts of aggression and violence on the road. The tragedy that unfolded on that fateful day in 2020 serves as a sobering reminder of the need for individuals to exercise caution and restraint when faced with conflict while driving, in order to prevent further senseless acts of violence and loss of life.