Area man arrested in road rage incident
A South Strabane Township man was arrested Sunday night by state police after allegedly pointing a handgun at two people during an apparent incident of road rage on Interstate 79 southbound, just south of the Laboratory exit, Amwell Township.
Doc Kelly Jones Jr., 42, of 1785 E. Beau St., was arrested on charges of unlawful restraint, endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, reckless endangerment and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Police said Jones was involved in a minor traffic incident on I-79 near the south junction with Interstate 70 about 7:40 p.m. Jones was reportedly flashing the high beams of his vehicle at other drivers in an apparent attempt to get their attention.
Jones reportedly continued to flash the lights on his vehicle when a van pulled to the side of the road. Jones pulled off in front of the van. Police said Jones got out of his car, pulled a pistol from a holster on his belt and reportedly pointed the weapon at the three people in the van.
James Sink of Princeton, W.Va., and a 16-year-old boy got out of the van while Crystal Sink stayed inside the vehicle. James Sink and the boy tried to tell Jones they had done nothing wrong. Police said Jones then allegedly pushed the boy into the front of the van and punched James Sink in the face, knocking him to the road.
Police said Sink got up as Jones continued to hold the weapon on both Sink and the boy. The three argued and at some point, Jones put the gun away. When police arrived, they found Jones with a .40-caliber handgun in a holster. Inside the vehicle, police found a glass containing an unknown alcoholic beverage in the cup holder in the center console, two empty liquor bottles and several cans of beer, some empty, were found in the car.
Jones’ 14-year-old son was in the car during the incident. He was taken to the barracks and released to his mother.
Jones was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and released from Washington County jail after posting $5,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 30 before District Judge Ethan Ward.