COCONUT CREEK, Fla. — A routine drive on Florida’s Turnpike reportedly turned into a frightening road-rage confrontation over the weekend when a Kissimmee man was accused of pointing a gun at another driver.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to a reported traffic accident and road-rage incident at about 7:20 p.m. Saturday in Coconut Creek.
According to the arrest report, Anthony Moreno, 44, was driving a gray Dodge Ram, while the other motorist was behind the wheel of a gray Ford F-150.
What began as a dispute between the two drivers allegedly escalated when Moreno intentionally stopped in front of the other vehicle.
The other driver told troopers that Moreno “intentionally slammed on his brakes in order to stop him,” according to the report.
The incident then developed into a pursuit on the highway.
Driver Says He Feared for His Life
According to investigators, the situation became significantly more serious after the victim was stopped in traffic while Moreno was pursuing him.
The victim told troopers that he then saw Moreno holding a small black gun directly toward him.
The driver said he feared for his life and believed Moreno “might kill him.”
The arrest report also states that the victim believed Moreno appeared to mouth words to the effect of, “Pull over, imma f*in kill you!”**
The alleged threat added a potentially dangerous element to an already escalating road-rage confrontation.
Rather than ending after the initial encounter, however, the confrontation allegedly continued as the victim attempted to get away.
Suspect Allegedly Points Gun Again
Troopers said the victim managed to flee once again, but Moreno allegedly continued pursuing him.
According to the arrest report, Moreno pointed the gun toward the other vehicle and boxed it in, preventing the driver from easily getting away.
The confrontation eventually ended when the victim was stopped on the right shoulder of the Florida Turnpike near mile marker 73 in Coconut Creek.
Troopers then took control of the situation and began investigating the allegations made by the driver.
The circumstances of the encounter were documented in the arrest report, including statements from the victim and Moreno.
Moreno Gives Troopers His Explanation
During the investigation, Moreno reportedly acknowledged pointing the firearm.
However, he gave troopers a different explanation for why he did it. According to the arrest report, Moreno said he pointed the gun toward the victim’s tires “just to scare” him.
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Troopers said Moreno also made a confession during the investigation, although that section of the arrest report has been redacted.
The differing accounts are now part of the criminal case stemming from the road-rage confrontation.
Kissimmee Man Faces Firearm Charge
Moreno was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol and faced one count of improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon, according to jail records.
The charge stems from the allegation that he displayed and pointed the firearm during the confrontation with the other driver.
As of Friday morning, Moreno was no longer listed as an inmate in the Broward County jail records system. The available information does not indicate that the road-rage incident resulted in anyone being shot.
The case nevertheless highlights how quickly aggressive driving disputes can escalate into potentially life-threatening encounters, particularly when a firearm is allegedly introduced.
For the driver who reported the incident, what began as a confrontation on the highway reportedly became a situation in which he believed his life was in immediate danger.
Authorities will ultimately determine how the encounter unfolded and whether the allegations are supported by the evidence gathered during the investigation.
What do you think about this Florida Turnpike road-rage incident? Should drivers face tougher consequences when a firearm is introduced during a traffic dispute? Share your thoughts in the comments.