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Did Michael Hall Steer Danielle Buffum's Car Into Motorcycle, Road Rage-Style?


We've covered plenty of road-rage incidents over the years, some of them quite unusual.

One example: The case of Steven Paula, who was arrested for punching out another motorist after his daughter allegedly shared a video of him doing it on Snapchat.

But an incident on Saturday offers a new twist.

Michael Hall was arrested after a crash involving a automobile and a motorcycle, even though he was a passenger in the car, not the driver — because he allegedly caused the crash by taking control of the wheel.

Thus far, the driver, Danielle Buffum, has not been charged with a crime — although police have yet to clear her of possible involvement in the incident.

At about 4:50 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, according to the Aurora Police Department, officers were dispatched to the scene of a crash on the 1700 block of northbound Interstate 225.

There, they found a Honda CBR 600 motorcycle on the right shoulder of the highway and a 2005 Chrysler Sebring nearby — and both vehicles are said to have rolled several times.

Here's a photo the APD tweeted from the location.


Afterward, several witnesses told the cops that the Chrysler was heading north on East Iliff Avenue on the third lane, with the motorcyle in lane four, on the Sebring's passenger side.

The Sebring was being piloted by Buffum. Hall was in the passenger seat beside her — and he's said to have had "some sort of dispute" with the motorcyclist.

At that point, the APD maintains, the Sebring started moving to the right, forcing the Honda to the edge of the lane in which it was traveling.

Then Hall allegedly "grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it right," steering the Chrysler into the motorcycle.


Impact followed, with both vehicles losing control and flipping onto the shoulder of the roadway.

The motorcyclist, who has not yet been identified, was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

Buffum was hurt, too. On Facebook, she writes that she was "pretty banged up" and underwent surgery on her left leg.

She points out that their child, an adorable girl whose photos dominate her Facebook gallery, is fine, since she wasn't in the vehicle at the time.


In addition, Buffum thanks her family, friends and loved ones for their prayers and support through the situation before noting, "When I know more about Mike, I will keep you all updated!!"

As of now, Hall, who reportedly has a number of driving-related infractions on his record, is being held on suspicion of first-degree assault and attempted homicide.

Meanwhile, the APD states that "it will be some time before a determination is made on charges against Danielle Marie Buffum."

Look below to see Hall's booking photo, followed by a CBS4 report about the crash.



Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
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Michael Roberts has written for Westword since October 1990, serving stints as music editor and media columnist. He currently covers everything from breaking news and politics to sports and stories that defy categorization.
Contact: Michael Roberts

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