Driver behind viral racist rant says it 'ruined' his life

A man caught on camera following a black man home and repeatedly racially abusing him has said the incident has tried to excuse it as an "awful mistake". Cue the tiny violin.

Jeffrey Whitman, who had been filmed launching a racist tirade where he called another driver the 'n-word', complained that "it's ruined my life and it's ruined my family's life".

Whitman was driving his van last week when he accused another driver, Charles Lovett, of cutting him off.

He followed Lovett for nearly two miles to his home, where he launched into a racist tirade, calling Lovett "entitled" because he is "black" and the 'n-word'.

Whitman went viral after Lovett posted a video of the encounter to Facebook, showing Whitman saying the 'n-word' wasn't a big deal because he grew up with it.

The state contractor from Ohio told the Columbus Dispatch that he wanted to make amends after spewing hate:

I’m out of business, I’m completely out, I’m done, I’ll never work in Columbus again.

This has completely and thoroughly ruined my life.

He said that the incident had let to the harassment of his 85-year-old mother and 25-year-old daughter, adding:

I just don’t understand the intensity of the hate.

Whitman previously told NBC4that he ‘didn’t follow him home.’

The way I confronted him, I confront him as hey you cut me off.

He said he did not regret using the N-word.

I don't know if it makes it right or wrong all I can say is I grew up with it and not a big deal for me.

This is the latest in a round of racially aggravated videos captured in America.

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