A man was arrested on threatening and breach of peace charges on Thursday for pulling out a gun during a road rage incident on Interstate 84.
Troopers responded to I-84 West, in the area of Exit 43 in West Hartford, just after 7:20 a.m. Thursday on the report of a motorist showing a gun, according to Connecticut State Police.
Troopers met with the complainant off the highway and they said they were driving in the left lane on I-84 when they allegedly saw a Nissan Altima weaving in and out of lanes. The Nissan driver then “unsafely” merged in front of the victim, state police said.
The complainant said they honked their horn, which led to the Nissan driver slamming on the brakes, according to state police. The complainant reported making a hand gesture toward the driver, who then allegedly pointed a firearm toward the complainant through the driver’s side window, state police said.
The complainant reported trying to create some distance from the Nissan, but the driver merged into the center lane and allegedly made a motion indicating he wanted the complainant to pull alongside him, according to state police.
The complainant said they created more distance from the Nissan and called authorities. State police said the complainant was able to provide a description of the vehicle, including the license plate information, as well as a description of the driver and the firearm involved.
State police were able to determine that the Nissan was a rental vehicle and that the renter was listed as 32-year-old Kewon Rondell Banks of Manchester. Troopers responded to his home but did not find him there. They spoke to a resident who contacted Banks, allowing troopers to speak with him.
Banks, state police said, told troopers he was at work but agreed to meet to discuss the allegations.
According to state police, when Banks met with troopers he admitted to showing his firearm during a road rage incident but said he only did so because he thought the other driver was reaching for something. He told troopers the firearm was still in the vehicle.
State police seized the gun and arrested Banks on charges of first-degree threatening involving the display of a firearm and second-degree breach of peace involving violent or threatening behavior.
Banks was released on a $5,000 bond and is expected to be arraigned in Hartford Superior Court on Oct. 9.
