Witnesses claim man charged in deadly road rage said victim deserved it

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — A man charged with a murder in the middle of a Rock Hill highway asked to get out of jail Tuesday.

Joseph Rufo, 43, is accused of killing 25-year-old Dedrick Strain in July.

Officials said Rufo intentionally caused Strain to wreck his motorcycle in what appeared to be road rage.

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The two men were strangers to each other.

It's rare for Highway Patrol to file murder charges. However, arrest warrants state troopers believe Rufo's actions were malicious and intentional.

Prosecutors said when witnesses at the crash confronted Rufo about what happened, he told them the victim deserved it.

The victim's sister, Kadedra Strain, spoke through tears in the courtroom, asking the judge to keep Rufo locked up.

"That was my only brother, my only sibling. My mama lost her firstborn," she said.

Strain loved to ride motorcycles. He was a young husband and father of a 5-year-old girl. His wife, Carolina, told the court how his family is suffering.

"My daughter has nightmares. She cannot go one day without thinking of her father," she said.  "We just have to tell her he's in heaven."

(Strain with his wife and daughter)

Troopers said Rufo pulled in front of Strain's motorcycle, cutting him off, then slammed on the brakes, throwing Strain off his bike and into a guardrail.

Rufo apparently told witnesses Strain had flipped him off at a traffic light just before the crash.  Witnesses however, didn't report seeing that happen.

Witnesses also said a piece of paper would barely have fit between Strain's motorcycle and the back bumper on Rufo's SUV while they were going down the road at about 55 mph.

Deputy Solicitor Willy Thompson said anyone who reacts that irrationally to a minor traffic offense is a danger to the community.

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Strain’s uncle, Terry Strain, said the same.

"My nephew did nothing in this world to hurt this man," he said.

Rufo was given a $150,000 bond and the judge told him if he gets out, he can’t drive or contact the victim’s family.

He will also be placed on house arrest and wear an ankle monitor.

Cox Media Group