On Friday night, dispatch issued an all-points bulletin for a white Ram pickup with a license plate number for a road rage incident that occurred on I-75 northbound at mile marker 288 in Cartersville. Dispatch advised the caller had a gun pointed at her by the male driver of this vehicle.
Two deputies proceeded to the area. While looking for the pickup, one of them advised dispatch to have the caller turn on her flashers so they could find her. Dispatch advised the truck pulled off near exit 293, but then continued on northbound. A deputy was finally able to see the caller’s flashers in the distance near mile marker 301 behind the pickup. As a deputy got up to both vehicles, near mile marker 302, a felony traffic stop was conducted on the pickup due to a gun being involved.
The deputy had the driver, David Bryant of Whitwell Tennessee, step out of the vehicle and follow all commands. He was detained at that time. Bryant stated “I showed them my gun, but I have a permit to carry a weapon.” He stated that he was being tailgated and had lights flashed at him. He had the cruise control set at the speed limit while he was in the far left lane. They went around and got in front of him. He then went around them fearing that they might do something to him, so he pulled his gun out and showed it to them by holding it by the steering wheel. He stated the gun was in the center console and had no bullets in it.
The vehicle was cleared and no other passengers were inside the pickup. A .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun was located in the center console with no magazine in it and no rounds in the chamber. The weapon was made safe and placed in the trunk of a patrol car. It was later placed into evidence.
Dispatch advised a deputy that the complainant continued on and did not want to stop. She stated on the phone that she was heading north on I-75 and the pickup was tailgating her. She sped up to get away from it and the pickup came up and pulled up beside her. The suspect pointed a black handgun out the window at her and got in front of her hitting his brakes several times. The pickup had pulled off near mile marker 293 like he wanted to fight with her, so she continued on. The pickup was able to catch back up to her and he pointed the gun at her again, got in front of her, and continued to “brake check” her. She stayed behind the pickup until law enforcement arrived. She stated she wanted to press charges.
Based on statements made by Bryant and the complainant, David Bryant was placed under arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
A tow truck was dispatched to the location and the pickup was released to it.
Bryant was transported to the Bartow County Jail for processing. There is no further information.