News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, NE; KLKNTV.comRoad rage suspect arrested; victim speaks out

Road rage suspect arrested; victim speaks out

By:  Ashley Harding
aharding@klkntv.com

Police say the man responsible for violently stabbing another man during a road rage incident is now behind bars.

It happened more than two years ago, and now the man who was stabbed is speaking out. Police arrested 55-year-old Tommy King Thursday.

The stabbing victim,  Andrew Wiese says he was starting to lose hope that there would be any new development to the case.

It's been two and half years since Andrew Wiese was violently stabbed during a road rage incident near 48th and Pioneers.   The August, 2009 attack shook Wiese and his family to the core. 

"The only thing I could think was, you know, that's my children's dad. Just let him survive, let him survive," Karen Wiese, Andrew's wife.

For two and a half years police continued to search for the man who attacked Wiese, but to no avail.  Then on Thursday, police arrested King after receiving a tip through Crime Stoppers.

Police say the incident started when Wiese, King, and King's son got out of their pickups on 48th and Meredith street on August 22, 2009.

 "The son and the victim got into a physical altercation. Then Tommy stepped in with a knife and caused the injuries to the victim," says Officer Katie Flood.

Wiese drove himself to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. It turns out he had seven deep cuts all over his body, including the back of his head and his shoulder, and his neck, narrowly missing his carotid artery. 

The scars on his body may serve as a grisly reminder, but according to Wiese it's made him a better person.

"I look at myself. I didn't really like who I was back then. So I look at the scars and I remind myself, don't go back to that person," says Wiese.

The Wieses also have an important message for other victims waiting for justice:

"Don't lose hope. The wheels turn. They turn slowly but they do turn. And it's just a matter of time."

Tommy King is charged with first degree assault and the use of a weapon to commit a felony.  As for Andrew and Karen Wiese, they want to thank the person who came forward with the tip.