Florida
Florida road rage shooting between truck drivers stemmed from thrown water bottle: sheriff's office
A truck driver from Virginia is behind bars in Florida after police say he fired a gun multiple times at another trucker while the two were driving on the interstate.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Dylan Belleastin, 43, was arrested Wednesday and charged with shooting a missile into a vehicle, aggravated assault, criminal mischief and displaying a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The road rage shooting took place on Sunday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 75, the sheriff’s office said.
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A Marion County deputy responded to a Love’s Travel Stop in Ocala after receiving a report of shots fired on I-75. The victim, who was only identified as another semi-truck driver, told authorities that the incident began when Belleastin pulled up beside him and threw a water bottle at his truck while they were driving.
The victim said he initially pulled over to confront Belleastin, but changed his mind and drove off.
Belleastin then allegedly followed the other driver and pulled up beside his truck again, which is when he fired a gun into the victim’s truck a few times.
The victim said he hit the brakes in order to avoid being struck and fired his own gun in response “out of fear for his own life,” according to the sheriff’s office.
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Belleastin allegedly drove to the Love’s Travel Stop the victim stopped at before ultimately continuing his journey down I-75.
While investigating the incident, a Marion County deputy obtained information that allowed him to identify the suspect as Belleastin. The deputy was also able to access the dash camera footage showing the inside of Belleastin’s cab.
In the video, Belleastin can be seen shooting a gun out the window of his cab two separate times while driving. The sheriff’s office said Belleastin also pointed a second handgun at the victim, but did not fire it.
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He was arrested by Marion County deputies and U.S. Marshals on Wednesday in Ocala.
Belleastin remains in the Marion County Jail without bond.