LEWISBURG — Randy Budd testified it was the most gruesome thing he has ever seen, describing his wife being hit by a rock while riding along Interstate 80 in Union County last month. Budd took the stand Tuesday morning to testify at the preliminary hearing for one of the four teenagers charged with tossing rocks off a bridge along I-80 near Milton.
“It felt like an explosion went into the car, grenade-like,” said Budd.
Police say Sharon Budd was hit in the face with the rock. She lost an eye and had brain surgery. Her husband Randy has told Newswatch 16 his wife will never be the same.
“It was the most gruesome thing I’ve ever, ever seen,” testified Randy Budd. He gave graphic details as he described horrific injuries to his wife that night in July. Prosecutors also played a 911 recording from Randy’s call for help.
“She is grasping for her life. Half her brain is out. Oh my God,” he told a 911 dispatcher.
Prosecutors are presenting evidence in their case against 18-year-old Brett Lahr. The other three teens, Dylan Lahr, Tyler Porter and Keefer McGee, all gave up their right to hearings. Investigators say the four went on a mission of destruction that night, doing damage at a farm and then the rock throwing on I-80.
In a surprising move, Keefer McGee took the stand to testify against his friends.
“I’m just doing it because I feel bad for the family,” said McGee.
The district attorney said McGee may ultimately plead guilty to a felony aggravated assault charge.
McGee testified that the boys stole steaks from a supermarket before they drove through a cornfield and threw rocks.
“We gathered rocks to throw at cars, parked cars that is,” testified McGee. “We were all laughing and thinking it was funny.”
