Suspect in fatal road rage beating formally charged

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A man suspected of beating a 60-year-old man who subsequently died of a heart attack during an apparent road rage attack in Indiana has been formally charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Brandon Cook made an initial court appearance by video conference Tuesday. He has a bond hearing scheduled for Sept. 11.

Cook is charged in the death of Orlando Fernandez on Aug. 8. The two men had an altercation along U.S. 30 in Fort Wayne. An autopsy determined Fernandez died of a heart attack triggered by the stress of the altercation. His death was ruled a homicide.

Cook was arrested Aug. 16 in Panama City Beach, Florida, where he was living at a campground. He was returned to Fort Wayne on Thursday and incarcerated in the Allen County Jail.