BEDFORD — A Medora man was arrested Friday evening after allegedly pointing a firearm at another driver during a road-rage dispute near Otis Park in Lawrence County.
Jason C. Patrick, 26, was taken into custody on October 2, 2026, following a traffic stop by law enforcement. He faces charges of intimidation with a deadly weapon, pointing a firearm, criminal recklessness with a firearm, and disorderly conduct.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Sgt. R. Compton of the Lawrence County Police Department, dispatch received a 911 call around 7:15 p.m. from a male driver. He reported that a male driver in a white Ford Ranger had followed his vehicle closely on U.S. Highway 50 East, passed him across a double-yellow line into oncoming traffic, and forced him onto the shoulder.
At the intersection of U.S. 50 and Tunnelton Road, both drivers pulled over near Otis Park following a verbal exchange. According to the male driver and independent eyewitnesses, Patrick exited his truck armed with a silver handgun with a black grip. Witnesses told police that Patrick approached the male’s vehicle and pointed the handgun at him before throwing the weapon onto the ground, raising his fists, and challenging the male driver to a physical fight. The male driver remained in his vehicle and declined to engage.
Eyewitnesses reported that Patrick subsequently retrieved the weapon, waving it in the general direction of bystanders and the victim’s truck, before driving away.
Shortly after the call, officers located the white Ford Ranger at a gas station on 16th Street in Bedford and conducted a felony traffic stop on C Street. Patrick and a male passenger were detained without incident.
During a consent search of the truck, Capt. Anthony Pope recovered a loaded silver handgun between the front seats. Patrick initially denied pointing the firearm—claiming he only intended to place it in his waistband and later tossed it on the ground. The male passenger and multiple independent witnesses confirmed to officers that the weapon had been pointed toward the victim.
Patrick was transported to the Lawrence County Jail, where he was booked on the four charges.
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.
