Truck driver is shot in face-off with cyclist

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04040/270970.stm

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Monday, February 09, 2004

Truck driver is shot in face-off with cyclist

By Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Monroeville bicyclist has been jailed on charges that he tried to kill a
pickup truck driver during a road rage incident Saturday afternoon near
the entrance to Monroeville Park.

The driver, William J. Nicoletti, was shot once in the arm in the
confrontation.

No injuries were reported to the bike rider, Robert T. Urick.

Nicoletti, 51, told Monroeville police that he was driving along Tillbrook
Road when Urick, 41, who was riding the bicycle, made an obscene
gesture as the truck passed him.

Urick later told police that he reacted that way because Nicoletti had told
him to get off the road.

Nicoletti said that he turned his truck around and drove toward Urick, who
pulled a pistol, pointed it at him and stated that Nicoletti had "five
seconds
to get out [of the truck] or he would shoot," according to an affidavit that
supports Urick's arrest.

Nicoletti said that Urick then reached inside the truck and shot him in the
arm.

As Urick rode away, Nicoletti said that he pursued him in the truck,
ramming the bicycle from behind, forcing it off the road.

The two men then fought briefly until Urick fled.

Nicoletti was treated at Mercy Hospital for a bullet wound of the arm.

Under questioning at county police headquarters, Urick denied having
possessed or fired a weapon. He admitted that he had fought with
Nicoletti, ending the fight only after Nicoletti submitted, the affidavit
said.

Urick was arraigned on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated
assault and two weapons violations.

He was being held last night in the Allegheny County Jail on $100,000
bond, pending a preliminary hearing Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. before District
Justice Walter Luniewski in Monroeville.

Translation: pussy truck driver picks fight with a fit person,
gets his ass kicked, shoots himself looking for his gun, makes
up story to hide weakness and stupidity.

--Blair
"Backfiring on schedule."