Off-duty police officer arrested for road rage

By CNN Newsource

Published June 15, 2021 11:19 am

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee (WSMV) — An off-duty Decherd police officer was arrested in a case of road rage in Murfreesboro on Sunday night after he allegedly pointed his gun at a driver, according to court documents.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said Mathew Ward, 31, of Murfreesboro, has been charged with aggravated assault for an incident on Interstate 24.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said Ward saw Ilya Kovalchuk speeding on I-24 on Sunday. The officer displayed his police badge and signaled for Kovalchuk to slow down. Deputies said Ward and Kovalchuk exchanged words and Ward pursued the car at 120 mph on I-24 until both exited Medical Center Parkway.

“Ward drew his Decherd-issued handgun and pointed it at Mr. Kovalchuk while ordering him to lay on the ground,” said Rutherford County Sheriff Patrol Cpl. William Travis in a news release.

Ward was arrested and released on a $5,000 bond. He will appear in general sessions court on Oct. 27.

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