PROVO — A man charged with aggravated assault for allegedly driving into a motorcyclist told police at the scene he wanted the motorcyclist arrested.

"He was very upset," said Sgt. Kerry Cole of Saratoga Springs. "He stated the motorcycle was following him too close all the way from Bluffdale down Redwood Road to the intersection. At the intersection, that's when (the motorcyclist) kicked the side mirror off."

Driver Arlon Miller, 53, was in 4th District Court for a preliminary hearing Wednesday, where he heard 23-year-old motorcyclist Tyler Judy's side of the story.

Judy testified he was driving home from work May 28 on Redwood Road late at night and had to keep slowing down because the Toyota Corolla in front of him kept "brake checking" him — slamming on the brakes and slowing significantly, he said.

He said he stayed 35 feet behind the car, except when the car slowed, and then the distance was around 20 feet.

Judy and Miller eventually stopped at the light at Route 73 and Redwood Road in Saratoga Springs, with Judy in the middle lane to continue south and Miller in the right-turn lane.

Judy said Miller yelled profanity at him, then said he was "riding his tail."

"I just told him that I was following closely because of the danger with deer that people on motorcycles face," Judy said.

Defense attorney Shelden Carter asked if after that, Judy took off quickly from the light to avoid Miller.

"Not really, no," Judy replied.

"So would it be fair to say, you sensed no concern for your safety?" Carter asked.

"At that point, I did not think somebody would try to hit me with the car," Judy said.

Carter also asked Judy why he pulled up directly across from Miller.

"I did not perceive any major concern," Judy said, adding that people follow each other closely all the time on the freeway.

"But instructions manuals will tell you to stay back a safe distance?" Carter asked. "Do you realize that may irritate some drivers, following so close?"

"I do not think that would irritate most drivers," Judy replied.

Once the light turned green at the intersection, Judy testified that Miller tried to drive his car into his motorcycle and Judy stuck his foot out in defense, knocking off the car's driver-side mirror.

After Miller pulled nearly a full U-turn in the intersection, and Judy followed to avoid a crash, Judy said Miller tried to get the car close to him, and Judy's leg ended up pinned between the motorcycle and the car.

Judy sped away in a different direction to find a safe place to use his cell phone, but Miller followed. As he entered a nearby roundabout, Judy said Miller entered the wrong way and clipped Judy's back tire.

That sent Judy's motorcycle over a curb, but the tires slid on the grass and Judy crashed. At that point, Judy said Miller came over and pushed down the motorcycle, which was on top of his left leg.

Then, Judy said Miller began pushing him and swinging at him with his fists.

Judge Claudia Laycock ruled that the car constituted a weapon, thus approving the aggravated assault charges, and bound the case over for trial.

Miller will be in court again Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m. to enter a plea.

E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com