The Viral Road Rage: 5 Shocking Facts About Gary Peacock, The Park City Cyclist Who Divided The Internet

The name Gary Peacock exploded across the internet recently, but not for the reasons you might expect from a long-time resident of Park City, Utah. In a saga that perfectly encapsulates the escalating tensions between motorists and cyclists in affluent communities, a viral road rage incident involving 73-year-old Snyderville Basin resident Gary Peacock and a young driver, Pierce Kempton, became a national flashpoint. This article, updated for late 2024, dives deep into the details of the confrontation, the legal fallout, and the surprising background of the man at the center of the controversy.

What began as a simple disagreement over a passing distance on Park Avenue quickly escalated into a legal and social media firestorm, leading to police intervention, the release of bodycam footage, and a heated debate over the enforcement of Utah's critical three-foot passing law. The incident has spotlighted the complexities of road-sharing in Summit County and revealed a fascinating, multi-faceted profile of the man behind the viral video.

Biography and The Viral Altercation Timeline: Who is Gary Peacock?

The name Gary Peacock is associated with two notable figures, but the one dominating current headlines is the Park City resident involved in the road rage incident. To provide clarity and context, here is a breakdown of the individual who went viral and the other public figure with the same name:

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• Full Name: Gary Peacock (The Park City Cyclist/Philanthropist)
• Age: 73 years old (at the time of the viral incident)
• Residence: Snyderville Basin, Park City, Utah
• Previous Residence: Allegedly a transplant from Silicon Valley, California
• Spouse: Marlene Peacock (Co-donor/Philanthropist)
• Claim to Fame (Current): Viral road rage altercation with driver Pierce Kempton over the Utah 3-Foot Passing Law.
• Claim to Fame (Philanthropy): Along with his wife, he made a $7 million planned gift to Fresno State University for agricultural scholarships.
• Legal Outcome of Incident: Paid a $160 fine for disorderly conduct.

Note on The Other Gary Peacock: It is important to distinguish the Park City resident from the late, legendary American jazz double bassist, Gary George Peacock (1935–2020), who was a renowned figure in the jazz world, particularly for his work with the Keith Jarrett Standards Trio.

The September 2024 Viral Road Rage Incident

The incident that brought Gary Peacock national attention took place in September 2024 on Park Avenue, a busy thoroughfare in Park City. Peacock, who was cycling up the road toward Old Town, claimed that a Subaru driven by 22-year-old Pierce Kempton passed him dangerously close, violating the state's mandatory minimum clearance. Utah law, specifically Utah Code 41-6a-706.5, requires motorists to give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing.

Peacock pursued the vehicle and confronted Kempton, who began filming the exchange. The footage, which quickly went viral, showed a heated argument where Peacock was visibly irate, demanding Kempton's license and telling him, "I am the police!" Peacock subsequently called the Park City Police Department to report the violation.

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The Legal Fallout and Bodycam Footage Release

The subsequent police investigation and the release of the official bodycam footage by the Park City Police Department provided a fuller picture of the events and the legal consequences for both parties. The outcome was a complex reflection of the difficulties in enforcing road-sharing laws.

Initially, both the cyclist and the motorist were ticketed. Gary Peacock, the cyclist, was cited for disorderly conduct due to his aggressive behavior and confrontation with Kempton. He ultimately paid a $160 fine for the violation. Pierce Kempton, the driver, was initially ticketed for the three-foot passing violation, but the ticket was later dropped by the Park City Prosecutor's Office. This decision sparked significant debate within the local and national cycling communities, with many arguing that the outcome discouraged cyclists from reporting dangerous driving.

The release of the bodycam footage became a crucial piece of evidence, allowing the public to see the full interaction between Peacock and the responding officers. The footage showed Peacock's persistence in arguing his case, but also the officers' determination that his conduct during the confrontation crossed the line into a punishable offense. The phrase "I am the police" became an immediate point of ridicule and a symbol of perceived entitlement, particularly given his alleged background as a Silicon Valley transplant.

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The Surprising Dual Life: Cyclist and Philanthropist

Perhaps the most astonishing detail to emerge from the controversy is the contrast between the viral "road rage cyclist" persona and Gary Peacock’s other public identity: a significant philanthropist. This dual public profile adds a layer of complexity to the Snyderville Basin resident.

• The $7 Million Gift: Gary Peacock and his wife, Marlene Peacock, are alumni of Fresno State University. They made a substantial $7 million planned gift through their estate to the university's Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.
• Focus on Education: The donation is specifically earmarked for agricultural scholarships, underscoring the couple's commitment to education and supporting future generations of highly educated professionals.
• Park City Connection: The couple's current residence is listed as Park City, Utah, further solidifying the connection between the donor and the cyclist. The existence of a second home in Portland, Oregon, also points to a lifestyle of significant means.

This juxtaposition—a wealthy, elderly philanthropist who is also a passionate, highly aggressive advocate for cyclist rights—has fueled the public's fascination. The incident is no longer just about a traffic stop; it's a commentary on wealth, entitlement, road-sharing ethics, and the clash between old and young generations in a rapidly growing community like Park City. The controversy, therefore, extends beyond the immediate altercation to a broader discussion about civility and the enforcement of Utah's bicycle laws.

The Broader Impact on Park City Road-Sharing

The Gary Peacock incident has served as a critical case study in the ongoing tension between different modes of transport in the Park City area, which is a hub for outdoor recreation, including cycling. The key issue at the heart of the debate is the 3-Foot Passing Law.

The law is clear: a motorist must provide at least three feet of space when overtaking a cyclist. However, the difficulty lies in enforcement and the subjective nature of what constitutes a "safe" pass, especially on narrow, winding roads common in Summit County. The fact that the driver's ticket was dropped while the cyclist was fined for his reaction has led many cycling advocates to argue that the burden of safety and civility is unfairly placed on the more vulnerable party.

The incident has intensified discussions among local government, the Park City Police Department, and cycling advocacy groups about how to better educate both drivers and cyclists. The community conversation now revolves around key entities such as cyclist safety, road-sharing etiquette, and the need for clearer guidelines on how to handle perceived violations without resorting to confrontation. The viral video of Gary Peacock and Pierce Kempton will likely be used for years as a cautionary tale on both sides of the road-sharing debate.