BEDFORD – A violent road rage incident escalated into an exchange of gunfire on Dixie Highway Friday afternoon, leading to the arrest of one driver and a criminal review of the other.
Cole Dennis, 20, of Bedford, was booked into the Lawrence County Jail on March 20, 2026, following a 911 call reporting shots fired near the 2200 block of Dixie Highway.
At approximately 1:02 p.m., witnesses reported a confrontation between a red truck and a black Buick sedan. According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Travis Atchison, the two vehicles were involved in a road rage dispute that culminated at a residence in the 2200 block of Dixie Highway.
Upon arriving at the scene, Lawrence County officers secured a black handgun from Dennis’s vehicle. Dennis claimed he had been followed to the residence by the driver of the red truck. Dennis told investigators that the driver of the red truck fired three to four shots first, prompting Dennis to fire a single round into the ground in self-defense.
Statements from witnesses and passengers, however, provided a different timeline of the violence. A juvenile female passenger in Dennis’s vehicle told police she observed Dennis fire the first shot from his handgun.
The driver of the red truck told Detective Michael Williams that Dennis exited the Buick with a gun and fired into the ground.
In retaliation, the driver of the red truck admitted to fleeing the scene, while firing rounds into the air as he drove away.
Dennis was transported to the Lawrence County Jail and charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. Authorities have also requested a review for an additional charge of intimidation with a deadly weapon.
The investigation remains active as the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office reviews the case to determine what charges will be filed against the driver of the red truck for his role in the shooting and the initial road rage encounter.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
