74-year-old mayor hospitalized when passing motorist attacks him, Illinois cops say

An Illinois town’s 74-year-old mayor was assaulted in an unprovoked attack as he assessed storm damage, authorities say.

Bengi McGee, the mayor of Energy in southern Illinois, was surveying damage from the area’s winter storm Jan. 6 when a passing motorist got out of his vehicle and “physically battered him,” according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said McGee was taken to a hospital in nearby Herrin with injuries to his face and head.

The accused attacker was identified as John W. Alexander, of Carterville, a town also located within Williamson County, the sheriff’s office said.

Alexander refused to cooperate while being detained, per the sheriff’s office. A motive for the attack is unclear.

Alexander was charged with aggravated battery and threatening a public official, and he was taken to the Williamson County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

Energy, about a 120-mile drive southeast from St. Louis, has a population around 975.