Apparent road rage incident leads to shooting at I-75 welcome center

Police speak to a man at the scene of a shooting at the Kentucky Welcome Center in southern Whitley County Thursday afternoon. Authorities would not release the names of the men involved in the incident.

A road rage type dispute between two truck drivers ended with an altercation at the Kentucky Welcome Center on I-75 that left one man shot.

So far authorities haven’t released the name of either party involved in the shooting, but say the victim suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Kentucky State Police Sgt. Tom Atkin said that no charges are being filed at this time against the shooter, who apparently acted in self-defense, but the case will be presented to the Whitley County Grand Jury for consideration.

About 12:06 p.m., KSP Trooper Dewayne Foley responded to the Welcome Center, which is near the one-mile marker, to investigate an unrelated incident about a man loitering at that location, who was reportedly wanted on charges from other states.

While Foley was interviewing the subject, he heard two gunshots and went to investigate the source of the gunshots, Atkin said.

"As he worked his way down the line of tractor trailers, he did see one person emerge from that line of tractor trailers holding his arm and there appeared to be bleeding from the arm," Atkin said.

Foley then discovered another man, who appeared to be holding a weapon.

"Trooper Foley challenged the person, disarmed him, and detained him for purposes of investigation," Atkin said. "The wounded man suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital.

"Based upon the investigation and the facts that we were able to determine therein, no charges are going to be filed at this time. The Whitley County Commonwealth’s Attorney will be consulted. The case will be presented to the grand jury."

The shooting stemmed from an argument that the two truck drivers were having over the CB radio as both trucks were coming into Kentucky on I-75.

"They agreed to meet and settle this confrontation. When they did stop and exited their vehicles, they both got out with sticks," Atkin said.

"One person struck the other one with a stick. The person, who had been struck, is the one, who we understand pulled the pistol and fired the rounds."

The argument apparently stemmed from allegations about a moving violation or one driver not letting the other driver in, but Atkin said that authorities are still investigating the cause of the dispute.

"If it is not road rage, it would be close to it. According to both parties they agreed to meet here to settle their differences," Atkin said. "It is my understanding or impression that this probably was over the course of some miles."

The Whitley County Sheriff’s Department and Williamsburg Police Departments both assisted at the scene.

In regards to Foley’s initial call at the Welcome Center, Atkin said Foley spoke with the person in question, but determined there wasn’t anything else, which could be done with him at this time.

"That person departed the scene with someone, who was called to come pick him up," Atkin noted.