Man punched and knocked out while standing in line at McDonald’s

South Carolina - A man was punched in the face and knocked out while standing in line at McDonald's because of a wreck he is blamed for causing just a few minutes before.
Witnesses said that a car ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle, causing a chain-reaction wreck.

Witness Katy Slaughter said, "We're sitting at the red light -- and it is red. Then it turns green, and I start to pull out. The guy clearly runs the red light, I mean straight through it. I slammed on the brakes. I seriously barely missed him."

Other drivers were not so lucky, and one car that was clipped slammed into another.

"He hit a car that was trying to make a left turn and that car hit another car," Slaughter said.

Slaughter said she stopped to try to help the man who is blamed for causing the wreck.

"I asked the guy, 'Are you OK? I have a cell phone. Do you need me to call anyone?' He says, 'No, that's alright.' He leaves and goes into the McDonald's."

The man, later identified as Thomas Whitener, 42, went inside and stood in the line at the counter.

Witnesses said another driver whose car was involved in the wreck became angry after Whitiner walked away.

Slaughter said, "This other man, he's getting irate, threatening to whup the man's behind or whatever."

Police said crash victim, Timothy Atchley, 32, went into the McDonald's after Whitener. They said when Atchley found Whitener standing in line apparently waiting to order food, Atchley punched Whitener in the face.

Whitener was knocked unconscious. He was transported to a hospital with a broken nose, concussion and swollen jaw.

Police said hours before the wreck in Union, Whitener had caused another accident in the area. He had also left that scene, police said.

Whitener was in the hospital in good condition late Friday afternoon. Police said once he is released, he will be charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under suspension. Other charges are possible.

Atchley was also arrested. He is charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. He is being held on $5,000 bond.

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I could see this happening. The whole world is just so stressed to the max. You really have to be careful with everyone you meet. You just never know when one will be a time bomb waiting to go off. Or a drunk with a chip on their shoulder...