Mich. man, 18, charged with murder after 'road rage incident'

CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) - An 18-year-old is now facing murder charges in the death of a western Michigan man, FOX 17 reports.

Christian Hillman is being charged in the death of William McFarlan. McFarlan, 64, died weeks after being beaten during what police call a "road rage incident" involving Hillman.

McFarlan of Caledonia, Mich. died on October 31 after being in hospice care with a severe brain injury since shortly after the Sept. 29 attack outside Grand Rapids.

Hillman was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm after the alleged attack. He is being held on $100,000 bond. Prosecutors had said if McFarlan died, the charges against Hillman would be raised to second-degree murder.

The second-degree murder charge just recently became official.

During a Kent County District Court hearing last month, a witness testified Hillman had been riding an off-road motorcycle before he was seen kicking McFarlan while the victim lay on the ground outside his pickup truck.

Hillman said he acted in self-defense.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report