The Geauga County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported road rage incident
The Geauga County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported road rage incident
in which a Trumbull County man allegedly fired a gun at an Ashtabula County couple’s vehicle Christmas evening on old State Road in Parkman Township.
Geauga County Sheriff’s Lt. James Jonovich said around 8 p.m. Dec. 25, a 911 call came in from a couple who reported an angry driver — later identified as Trey Hughes, of Trumbull County — in a gray 2004 Dodge Ram with oversized tires fired a gun at them on Old State Road north of Nash Road.
The victims had turned north on Old State from Nash and a truck drove up behind them, following very close, attempting to pass, he said.
When the offender finally got around the couple’s vehicle, he allegedly stopped in the road and got out of the truck, Jonovich said.
The couple maneuvered around the truck and continued driving, and the man allegedly shot a gun at their receding vehicle, he said.
“They heard what they believed to be the suspect firing at them,” Jonovich said.
The couple provided a good description of the truck driver’s vehicle, which also had a “lift” on it for driving cross-country, he said.
The next day, the night shift deputies pulled over a vehicle matching the description at about 9:24 p.m., Jonovich said.
The driver, identified as Hughes, received traffic citations and the deputy located a firearm in the truck — a Powerline CO2 blowback air pistol made by Daisy, he said, adding the suspect was driving under a suspended license, which is why deputies were able to search the truck.
The pistol is in the evidence locker, Jonovich said.
Chief Deputy Tom Rowan said Dec. 29 detectives are waiting for the driver from Ashtabula to bring his vehicle to the Chardon station to be checked for bullet damage.
While a BB gun looks like a firearm, it is very quiet when fired, Rowan said.
Also, Hughes told detectives he loaned out his truck on Dec. 25, the chief deputy said.
Jonovich said road-rage incidents have been increasing in the county and warned drivers to be more cautious on the roads.
“People don’t have a lot of courtesy out there,” he said.
After talking to the victims, the lieutenant said it’s hard to know why the incident happened.
“We don’t know if the victims did anything to agitate the truck driver,” Jonovich said. “Drivers should try to be courteous to their fellow drivers. You never know who is in the other vehicle.”
