A Wisconsin driver has been formally charged after authorities said a road rage incident allegedly led to a brief lockdown at a Kwik Trip in Fond du Lac. According to WBAY, John Peters is accused of chasing a Tesla in his Ford F-150 on Tuesday, June 9. He was charged with one count of attempting to flee an officer and four counts of disorderly conduct.
The Fond du Lac County Communication Center received a call around 10:50 p.m. from the Tesla driver, who said a dark blue F-150 had been following him. The driver said the man in the truck was also making an obscene gesture toward him. At the time, the Tesla driver had parked at a local Walmart and told dispatch he feared for his family’s safety.
When a deputy arrived, the Tesla left the Walmart parking lot and the F-150 followed it, according to the criminal complaint. The deputy activated his patrol lights and tried to pull over the F-150. Officials said the truck continued following the Tesla instead of stopping for the deputy.
The complaint said both vehicles eventually turned quickly into a Kwik Trip parking lot. Officials said the F-150 parked directly behind the Tesla, blocking it from leaving. The deputy got out with his gun drawn, and Peters was taken into custody outside the truck.
How the Fond du Lac Road Rage Incident Started
According to the complaint, the Tesla driver told deputies he was traveling from Montana to Ohio with his wife and two children. He said he first noticed Peters on I-41 when the truck was behind him and flashing its high beams. The driver then went to a nearby Target parking lot to charge the Tesla, but he said the truck followed him there.
The Tesla driver said he began driving randomly around the parking lot after noticing the truck. He told deputies the F-150 kept following him and used the truck to block him from leaving. The driver said he eventually pulled into a parking space at Walmart because he was scared and wanted to call dispatch.
What Charges Is Peters Facing?
Peters was charged with attempting to flee an officer and four counts of disorderly conduct. According to WBAY, a court date had not been set as of the station’s report. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to seven years in prison and about $14,000 in fines.
The complaint said Peters denied making the obscene gesture toward the Tesla driver. He told the deputy he had tried to pass the Tesla and that his truck stalled, according to WBAY. While being taken to the deputy’s squad car, officials said Peters became upset over the possibility that his dog, which was in the truck, could be taken by the humane society.