January 31, 2006
Ski Rage: WTF?
What the [bleep] is wrong with people?
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS - A 52-year-old man assaulted a teenage girl after a collision between the girl and the man's daughter, according to police.
Randal Berg of Littleton was arrested Sunday for the assault in which he reportedly punched the 16-year-old in the back and head.
The teenager told police she ran over Berg's 7-year-old daughter's skis with her snowboard and then the two fell to the ground. Berg saw his daughter on the ground and began attacking the snowboarder, according to Steamboat Springs Police Captain Joel Rae.
The snowboarder told police she was apologizing to the 7-year-old when Berg attacked her.
Police say Berg hit the girl repeatedly in the back of the head. The teen was wearing a helmet.
A group of witnesses intervened and separated Berg from the girl, police said. The witnesses also corroborated the girl's story, according to police.
After being separated from the snowboarder Berg launched into a tirade and threatened "to (expletive) kill" the snowboarder, police said.
The snowboarder was able to descend to the bottom of the mountain and walked away without serious injury.
Berg was taken to Routt County Jail and booked on charges of third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He was released Monday on $1,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Routt County Court on Feb. 14.
The accident occurred near the base of the ski mountain, where Steamboat Springs police have jurisdiction.
Rae said he has never heard of such an incident.
"There are fights and misunderstandings, but never have I seen anything with that kind of rage in my law enforcement career," the captain said.
Throw the book at the nimrod.
Show Comments »
People hate snowboarders out here.
Taos/Angelfire NM has even banned them.
Posted by: Chris at January 31, 2006 04:25 PMFor simply running over the girl's skis with the snowboard, I agree with throwing the book at the dad.
But if the snowboarder had bowled over my daughter when she was 7, I cannot guarantee that I would have remained calm and collected. I may not have punched a girl, but I might have attempted to make kindling out of the snowboard with the help of the nearest tree. {If they ain't made of wood, then forgive me.}
If you want to hear Neal Boortz rant, just bring up the issue of snowboarders.
Posted by: joe-6-pack at January 31, 2006 08:56 PMFirst of all, thanks Chris...my next ski vacation will be at Taos! Every time I've been out with my two kids (ages 4 and 6) this year, we've had at least a couple of near misses with out-of-control snowboarders. Today a teenage girl boarder plowed into my 6-year-old and sent him and his skis and poles flying. There's just no excuse for it, and I think skiers are right to be angry (although I don't condone beating up a kid over it).
Posted by: lisa at March 4, 2006 11:50 PM
