By Doane Yawger
The Merced Sun-Star
Copyright 2007 The Merced Sun-Star
All Rights Reserved
MERCED, Calif. — An off-duty Merced County Sheriff’s Department deputy driving his family car was forced off the road by a motorist Wednesday afternoon in an apparent case of road rage.
Deputy Paul Barile, department spokesman, said Robert Ernest Frank, 41, of Chowchilla was arrested on suspicion of battery and obstruction following the 4 p.m. incident on Road 15 off Highway 99 in Madera County.
Barile said the deputy, not identified, drew his service revolver but did not fire against Frank who kept charging at him despite warnings. Frank ultimately was subdued and arrested by Chowchilla police, California Highway Patrol officers and a sheriff’s sergeant.
It is unknown what provoked Frank to force the deputy’s car into the center divider of Highway 99 near Arboleda Drive and then follow him to the Road 15 exit. Barile said Frank’s Saturn sedan passed the deputy’s car and forced him off the road again.
Barile said the deputy was able to keep his car under control after entering the highway median and return to the road where the confrontation continued. The deputy alerted dispatchers by cellular phone.
Frank was released from Merced County Jail on his own recognizance, according to a correctional official.