Palm Coast; FL – A Florida woman in her golden years has found herself in legal trouble after allegedly chasing a 14-year-old boy down a bike path in her SUV, according to local authorities.
Julia Kalthof, 65, faces serious allegations, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and reckless driving, as reported by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
“This woman caused a dangerous situation with her reckless and aggressive behavior and could have seriously hurt or killed not just the child she was chasing, but anyone who happened to be walking or biking on that path,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a press release.
On June 7, an incident took place along the Pine Lakes Path, a trail designed for both pedestrians and cyclists. The route stretches alongside Pine Lakes Parkway in Palm Coast, a prominent city located on the eastern coastline.
A 911 caller reported witnessing an ongoing chase and took decisive action by cutting off the SUV at an intersection to prevent the woman from pursuing the boy.
In a remarkable turn of events, the girlfriend of the 911 caller took action by capturing video footage of the unfolding incident, which was subsequently submitted to emergency services through an online platform.
“Deputies responded to the scene to interview the witnesses and review the video,” the press release says. “The caller told deputies that he had noticed the juvenile attempting to wave down passing cars while the SUV was only 6 to 10 feet behind and chasing him, leading the witness to intervene and block the vehicle.”
In a swift turn of events, law enforcement has pinpointed Kalthof as the driver of the SUV, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.
In a surprising turn of events, the boy managed to break free.
Authorities were informed of the child’s identity after the parents became aware of the incident and contacted law enforcement.
The accused reportedly confessed to the pursuit.
“Kalthof told deputies that the incident occurred because she was angry at the victim for riding his e-bike too fast and wanted to find out where he lived in order to speak to his parents,” the press release continues. “The victim told deputies that Kalthof screamed at him, cut him off, and nearly struck him, causing him to fear for his life.”
Authorities report that the victim submitted video evidence purportedly depicting Kalthof driving recklessly on the path behind him.
“There’s this lady trying to hit me,” the boy says in the video.
On June 10, the accused faced charges for two offenses, in addition to receiving a traffic citation for operating a vehicle on the multi-use path.
Kalthof faced a brief stint in the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility before securing her release on a $3,000 bond.
