Man accused of trying to ram motorcyclist

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http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/s...2f4afd315.html

Man accused of trying to ram motorcyclist


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10:57 PM PDT on Friday, May 6, 2011

By RICHARD BROOKS
The Press-Enterprise
A 56-year-old Beaumont man was behind bars Friday in connection with what California Highway Patrol officers say was an attempt to ram a motorcyclist along I-215 near Highgrove.

James Winans Clarkson Jr. was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at University Avenue and Redwood Street in Riverside and booked for investigation of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a gun, and possessing a gun while committing a felony, jail records show.

The freeway incident happened about 1:30 p.m. April 26 near Center Street in Highgrove.

The 22-year-old motorcyclist from San Bernardino escaped injury, CHP Officer Sylvia Lopez said in a written statement.

"Witnesses stated that the motorcyclist was safely splitting traffic and (was) actually thanking motorists that shared the lane," according to the statement.

"As the motorcyclist passed a 1998 Toyota pickup truck, the driver ... suddenly swerved towards the motorcyclist in a deliberate manner. For several miles, the driver ... made numerous attempts to strike and ram the rider."

The rider tried to race away, but both men eventually pulled over and stopped.

At that point, the statement says, the Toyota's driver displayed a revolver.

Before arresting Clarkson, officers served a search warrant and seized a gun and other unspecified evidence that they say links Clarkson to the incident.

Clarkson is being held on $1 million bail.