Police: Enraged pastor beats man with cane

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A local pastor faces charges after police said a fit of road rage led him to beat a man with a cane.

A witness said she saw Pastor Roger Lee use his cane to hit another driver in a Hickory fast-food drive thru.

Police believe the road rage incident started here, along Highway 127 south of Hickory, and ended at a Hardee's.

"It happened right there," said Alexis Zimmerman, pointing to where she and other workers watched the attack. "He pulled open his door and just started beating him."

Lee, along with the other driver, Ruiz Santos, are charged with simple affray.  
 
When Channel 9 met up with Santos Wednesday, he was limping.   
 
He said Lee not only hit him with a cane but he said the cane came apart and had a blade inside that he used to stab his leg. 

"He didn't say anything to me," Santos said. "People inside Hardee's came out to stop but he didn't stop."

Police believe the road rage stemmed from when Santos passed the pastor and he came to an abrupt stop.  

Channel 9 was unable to reach Lee Wednesday.   
 
Zimmerman is still in shock.  

"It was just scary," she said. "Really, really just crazy. Why would somebody do that?"
 
Police confirmed Santos was cut in the attack and authorities seized that cane as part of the investigation.

WSOC