A man has been arrested after allegedly targeting another driver in a hate-driven road rage incident in Irvine, California, according to the Irvine Police Department. The incident, which took place on Tuesday morning, shocked witnesses and was captured on video.
Details of the Incident
Around 9:30 a.m. on July 28, 2025, a driver was heading southbound on Sand Canyon Avenue near the Interstate 5 Freeway when they witnessed a troubling scene.
The driver saw 54-year-old Robert Leon Tackett of Irvine yelling at a Hispanic truck driver. As the driver continued down the road, Tackett reportedly began tailing the victim’s vehicle. According to the Irvine Police Department, Tackett drove erratically, swerving into the victim’s lane several times and almost causing a crash.
The situation escalated when Tackett allegedly hurled racial slurs at the victim and threw a cup of hot coffee into the victim’s vehicle. The coffee splashed onto the victim’s face, hands, and inside the car, intensifying the already tense situation.
The victim managed to record much of the encounter on video, which was later shared on social media by a family member, drawing significant attention.
Police Action and Arrest
After the victim formally reported the incident to police late Tuesday night, Irvine Police took immediate action. By Wednesday afternoon around 2:30 p.m., Tackett was arrested on charges of a hate crime and aggravated assault.
The swift response from the Irvine Police Department underscores the seriousness with which authorities handle hate crimes and road rage incidents.
Tackett’s arrest serves as a reminder of the potential legal consequences of targeting others based on race or ethnicity. The incident continues to spark discussions about the dangers of aggressive driving and hate-fueled behavior.
