Jul 29, 2015 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – State police said a Washington Township man pointed a handgun at another motorist during a road rage incident earlier this month on Interstate 79 near Ruff Creek.

Lawrence Thomas Ford was traveling south on I-79 just south of the county line July 17 when police said he gave an obscene hand gesture to a 25-year-old woman trying to pass him in the right lane.

She responded with a similar gesture, police said, prompting the two drivers to “pass each other” multiple times on the interstate. The woman, who was not identified, told police Ford came “extremely close” to the rear bumper of her vehicle and nearly struck her car at one point.

Ford then pulled up to the side of the woman’s vehicle, rolled down his window and pointed a 9mm handgun at her as they sped down the highway, police said.

The woman immediately exited at the Ruff Creek interchange and was followed by Ford, who once again pointed the gun at her, police said. He then drove away.

Investigators eventually found Ford and confiscated a Ruger pistol.

Police said they plan to charge Ford, 43, of 211 Apple Hill Road, with simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment, along with several traffic citations. The charges were been filed by Wednesday afternoon.

Police said the woman will also be cited, but they did not identify her or say what traffic citations she would face.