A Sunday night car crash led to a road-rage-induced shooting in Bainbridge Township.
Charles Adams, 53, of Garfield Heights, was waving a gun around when police and firefighters responded to a 911 call about traffic crash on U.S. Route 422, sources close to the case told the Geauga County Maple Leaf on Monday.
Adams, who was charged with felonious assault and aggravated menacing, was traveling eastbound on Route 422 when another vehicle driven by Paul Vilt, 53, of Mantua, allegedly turned into his lane, striking Adams’ vehicle, Bainbridge Police Chief Jon Bokovitz said Monday.
Vilt did not stop after the collision and continued to travel east toward the state Route 306 exit. Adams, who had pulled over and then re-entered the road after Vilt failed to stop, reportedly chased after him.
Both vehicles exited onto Route 306, traveling southbound, and came to a stop at the entrance of Bainbridge Township Heritage Park, Bokovitz said.
According to sources, Adams reportedly exited his vehicle with a pistol and brandished it at Vilt. He yelled at Vilt and ordered him to get out of his car.
Vilt initially exited his vehicle, but got back in and tried to leave the parking lot. Adams then shot at Vilt’s car, striking and blowing out the front driver’s tire as Vilt was leaving, sources said.
Police stopped Adams’ vehicle on Route 306, sources said.
Vilt was located in a driveway on Geauga Lake Road attempting to change his tire. He was placed under arrest and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.
Both men were transported to the Geauga County Safety Center, Bokovitz said.
Nobody was struck or injured from the shooting, police said. The case remains under investigation.
Adams made an initial appearance in Chardon Municipal Court Monday morning. Judge Terri Stupica set his bond at $15,000 cash or surety or 10 percent.
Vilt is scheduled to make his initial appearance on May 5.
