A 67-year-old man from Evanston, Wyoming, has been charged with aggravated assault following an incident at a Costco store in Salt Lake City, Utah, on . Frank Mysliwiec allegedly struck a woman with his pickup truck after she attempted to save a parking space for her and her daughter.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Salt Lake City Police Officer Eric Martinez, the incident began when the woman and her daughter were finishing their shopping and sought a parking space closer to the store entrance to facilitate loading their purchases. The mother stood in the parking stall to reserve it while her daughter retrieved their vehicle.
Mysliwiec, driving a white pickup truck, reportedly saw the vacant space and attempted to park there, encountering the woman blocking his path. “JH told Mysliwiec that he could not park there,” Officer Martinez wrote in the affidavit, using initials to refer to the alleged victim. The situation escalated when Mysliwiec allegedly accelerated his vehicle, striking the woman and causing her to fall backwards, hitting her head on another vehicle.
Witness testimony corroborates the police account. A witness reported observing Mysliwiec appearing “visibly enraged” before rapidly accelerating the truck and striking the woman, causing her to be thrown backwards. The woman’s daughter also witnessed the incident, confirming that she saw the truck accelerate and hit her mother, resulting in her falling into another vehicle.
Mysliwiec offered a differing account to police, claiming he had stopped his truck, blocked by the woman. He stated that she had placed her hands on the hood of his truck, prompting him to rev the engine, causing her to fall backwards. A passenger in Mysliwiec’s truck corroborated this version of events, stating that Mysliwiec “pulled forward and JH fell down.”
However, surveillance footage from the Costco parking lot appears to contradict Mysliwiec’s account. Officer Martinez reviewed the footage, which allegedly shows Mysliwiec pulling into the parking stall and coming to a complete stop with the woman standing in front of his truck. The vehicle remained stationary for several seconds before accelerating forward and striking the woman, causing her to be thrown backwards, according to the affidavit.
The incident highlights the potential for everyday interactions to escalate into violent confrontations. While disputes over parking spaces are commonplace, this case demonstrates the severe consequences that can arise when tempers flare. The availability of surveillance footage proved crucial in challenging the suspect’s initial statement to police, underscoring the increasing role of video evidence in criminal investigations.
Mysliwiec has been charged with a third-degree felony and could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 if convicted. He was initially arrested on and released under the condition that he attend all required court hearings and refrain from committing further criminal offenses. He was formally charged in the 3rd District Court of Salt Lake City on .
Attempts to reach Mysliwiec for comment through two cell phone numbers registered in his name were unsuccessful. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities prepare for trial. The case raises questions about road rage, the use of vehicles as weapons, and the legal ramifications of aggressive driving behavior.
The incident at the Costco store serves as a stark reminder of the importance of de-escalation and responsible behavior in public spaces. While the motivations behind Mysliwiec’s actions remain unclear, the consequences for both him and the victim are significant. The case is likely to draw attention to the increasing prevalence of aggressive behavior in everyday life and the need for greater awareness and prevention efforts.
