Police: Prineville driver struck with gun in road rage case

A Prineville driver said another motorist pulled a gun and hit him on the side of the face Saturday evening in a road rage incident that has officers seeking witnesses or anyone with information that could help in their investigation.

Police received a call around 6:20 p.m. Saturday about an altercation between two drivers in the area of Northeast Third Street and Wilowdale Drive, Sgt. James Peterson said in a news release Sunday.

The reporting driver of a white Ford F-350 pickup described an unidentified white man in his 50s who was driving a white crossover-style SUV.

Peterson said the SUV driver reportedly was angry at the pickup driver for pulling out in front of him near Northeast Combs Flat Road and Third Street.

The caller to police said the suspect pulled up beside his pickup as he headed east on Third Street. Both vehicles pulled over near Willowdale, where the other driver got out of his SUV and pulled a gun, possibly a 9mm pistol, putting it against the pickup driver’s face.

The man then struck the pickup driver on the side of the face with the gun, causing a cut, then left.

Any witnesses to the incident or those with more information are asked to call the case agent, Officer Jordan Robeson, at 541-447-4168 or contact the department through its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PrinevillePD/.

The sergeant said, “Prineville police would like to remind everyone to contact law enforcement immediately in emergency situations such as this, and to drive safely.”

“In situations such as this, do not exit your vehicle,” Peterson said. Instead, he said, “travel to a safe place, such as the police department of sheriff’s office.”