Skip to main content

Houston Man Claims Self-Defense in Road Rage Death

According to KHOU 11 News, 28-year-old Jonathan Darling claimed he acted in self-defense during an altercation that left a man dead following a traffic collision that occurred in the 8800 block of the Gulf freeway on March 5.

Per Darling, the bumper of his vehicle collided with the bumper of another vehicle as each driver attempted to merge into the same lane.  Darling indicated that after the minor traffic collision, the driver of the other vehicle, 42-year-old Tate Welton approached and threatened him, stating "I'm going to mess you up. You messed up my day. I'm going to be late for work. We're going to fight."

Darling asserts that he attempted to get away from Welton and that he told his wife to call 911. However, Darling was unable to escape and Welton struck his face and head. According to Darling, Welton even went after his (Darling's) wife and kids, who were still seated in their SUV.

During the course of the fight, Darling was knocked to the ground and Welton continued to punch him. Darling managed to get Welton in a headlock as the two struggled.

"The more he tried to get up, I held a little bit tighter", said Darling.  Fearing that Welton would be even more enraged if he were to break free, Darling held Welton in a headlock until police arrived on scene. When police separated the two, Welton was not breathing. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died.

Welton's family indicated that he too, was a quiet family man and they did not understand how such a thing could have happened. Perhaps Darling summed the incident up best when he told a reporter, "It was pointless."

Without question, everyone has the right to defend themselves and their family with a reasonable degree of force. In some cases the use of deadly force is not only warranted but required to prevent the attacker from causing great bodily injury or death. Perhaps Darling indeed acted in self-defense. It remains to be seen whether his actions will be deemed "self-defense" or if he will be charged in Welton's death.

Of course, Welton isn't able to tell his side of the story. Darling's account of the incident may be spot on. If so, his actions would seem justifiable. After all, he indicated that he tried to back away from Welton and even told his wife to summon the police. Welton initiated the confrontation and was winning. It's easy to see how Darling would have been in fear for not only himself but for his family as well.

While I can't speculate as to what happened in this case, as a police officer, I have dealt with my share of "road rage" incidents. In my experience, the vast majority of these situations could have been diffused had one of the involved parties kept their cool.

My humble advice is that if you find yourself in a situation such as the one described by Darling, fight like hell to protect yourself and your loved ones. Short of that, take a deep breath and consider what the situation could deteriorate to if you were to succumb to your anger.

photo of Richard Nance

Richard Nance

Richard Nance is the founder of Nance Training & Consulting. He is lifelong martial artist and retired police sergeant with 26 years of service. His assignments included patrol supervisor, firearms instructor, SWAT team leader, and defensive tactics program supervisor. In addition to providing firearms and combatives courses, Richard is the Gun Tech Editor of Guns&Ammo magazine and the Self-Defense Editor of Handguns Magazine. He co-hosts Handguns TV and hosts Guns&Ammo's new Personal Defense digital video series. Richard is also a regular contributor to Outdoor Sportsman Group's Special Interest Publications (SIP) division.

Full Bio +  |   See more articles from Richard Nance




Current Magazine Cover

Enjoy articles like this?

Subscribe to the magazine.

Get access to everything Guns & Ammo has to offer.
Subscribe to the Magazine

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Handguns

Building The Bespoke 1911: Jason Burton

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Rifles

Best Affordable Rimfire Lever Action?

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Personal Defense

AR-15 for Home Defense

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Personal Defense

Target Transitions

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Optics

Red Dot Sights

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Personal Defense

Room Clearing with a Light

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Personal Defense

Malfunctions

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Personal Defense

AR-15 Basics

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Personal Defense

Lighting Techniques

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Personal Defense

Appendix Draw

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Personal Defense

Follow Through

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just havin...
Personal Defense

Drawing from Hip Carry

Guns and Ammo Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Guns & Ammo App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use