A Pickup Truck That Became a Weapon in Rockford

A Rockford man faces second-degree murder charges after allegedly driving a pickup truck into his girlfriend's estranged husband, then continuing to assault him in a nearby driveway.

The Incident Captured on Dashcam Footage

Thomas Patrick Olman, 49, was arraigned Tuesday, April 28, on a charge of second-degree murder in 63rd District Court in Grand Rapids Township. Olman allegedly intentionally struck John Ryan Joyce, 49, with his pickup on Dec. 11 in the driveway of a Rockford home. Joyce died in March after developing deep vein thrombosis, or blood clotting, from his injuries.

"He was gunning it," Kelli Gunn, Joyce's sister, told WOOD about the attack. "The assailant turned the dashcam on, which tells you something is not right there, if you want this documented."

The attack occurred at the intersection of Gibraltar Drive and Glencarin Drive. At the time, Joyce still co-owned a home in Rockford with his estranged wife. Police say Joyce had gone to Olman's home and discovered his girlfriend's vehicle there. Joyce found the vehicle unlocked, checked inside, and took the keys instead of finding a credit card for the divorce settlement.

"Prior to this, Joyce knew his wife was seeing somebody," according to a court affidavit.

The Confrontation Escalated Quickly

According to a probable cause affidavit, Olman was waiting near Gibraltar and Glencarin drives in his truck when Joyce's wife went to retrieve her car from the driveway. Joyce and his wife were divorcing and she was dating Olman. He told her he knew Olman was waiting nearby and he intended to give the keys directly to Olman.

Joyce was walking toward Olman's pickup when, according to police, the pickup raced toward him.

"Joyce told an officer that Olman was flooring it and going as fast as he could in distance before being hit," the affidavit stated.

Joyce said he tried to get out of the way of the truck but it swerved toward him. Dashcam footage appears to contradict Olman's claim to police that he was trying to drive around Joyce and that the victim moved in front of the vehicle.

The Law and Crime investigation found the footage shows the truck accelerating and veering directly at Joyce, who was trying to move out of the way. When Joyce realized the truck was turning toward him, he attempted to jump toward the yard, away from the front of the truck.

Olman Continued The Assault

After striking Joyce with his vehicle, Olman allegedly exited the vehicle and continued to assault Joyce in a nearby driveway. Police were told Olman exited the truck and began punching and kicking him.

Olman initially was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, but Kent County prosecutors added the second-degree murder charge after Joyce's death.

Joyce suffered catastrophic injuries, including a fractured pelvis, fractured ribs, and spinal damage. He was rushed to a hospital where he remained for months before dying on March 4. The Kent County Medical Examiner's Office determined the manner of death to be a homicide, concluding Joyce died from bilateral pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis — complications stemming from the injuries he sustained in the collision.

Family Says Joyce Was Devoted Father

Joyce, who went by his middle name Ryan, was described by his family as a devoted father of two daughters and someone who treasured his relationships and friendships. His obituary noted these qualities.

Olman was arrested at the scene and stayed as police responded. Officers found Olman, Joyce, and Joyce's estranged wife all still at the scene. The woman appeared to be watching and not helping, according to police reports.

"I located a male, identified as John Joyce, laying in the driveway," the affidavit said. "Standing near him was a female determined to be his ex-wife. The female appeared to be watching and not helping."

Court Proceedings

Olman was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of second-degree murder after Joyce's death. A judge set his bond at $250,000, according to court records.

Rockford police officers, in the affidavit, said tire tracks backed up Joyce's version of events. The officers wrote that Joyce told officers Olman was flooring it and going as fast as he could in the distance before being hit.

The case involves a complicated web of relationships that led to this confrontation. Joyce and his wife were going through a divorce, and his wife was dating Olman at the time of the incident. The dispute over the divorce settlement credit card and car keys escalated into a deadly confrontation.

John Tunison has been a reporter at MLive/Grand Rapids Press since 1997, covering courts, crime and local government.