On July 30, 2020 at approximately 9:53 a.m., a New Mexico State Police officer responded to a road rage incident on Interstate 40 westbound near milepost 229, east of Clines Corners, NM.  

During the investigation, officers learned a male and female were traveling west on Interstate 40 near milepost 229 in a Blue and Gray Freightliner Commercial Motor Vehicle. A blue in color Peterbilt Auto-hauler Commercial Motor Vehicle was also traveling west Interstate 40. The Peterbilt cut off the Freightliner forcing the Freightliner off the roadway. The Freightliner was able to safely merge back onto Interstate 40 and continued to travel west. 

The Freightliner exited Interstate 40 at milepost 226 behind the Peterbilt. The Peterbilt began to reverse towards the Freightliner on the exit ramp. The Freightliner was able to safely maneuver around the Peterbilt.

As the Freightliner drove pass the Peterbilt, the male and female observed the driver of the Peterbilt exit the CMV standing on the driver side doorstep yelling at them. A verbal altercation ensued between the Peterbilt driver and both victims. During the verbal altercation, the driver of the Peterbilt brandished a handgun and pointed the handgun towards the driver and passenger of the Freightliner. The driver of the Freightliner was able to drive off for their safety and contact law enforcement.   

State Police located the Peterbilt traveling west on Interstate 40 near milepost 208. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop on the Peterbilt and driver. The driver of the Peterbilt was identified as Henry Hostetler (27) of Northwood, IA. Hostetler was taken into custody and arrested without incident. 

Hostetler was booked into the CORE Civic Detention Center in Torrance County and charged with the following:

• Aggravated Assault Use of a Deadly Weapon (4 Counts), 30-3-2 (A), a 4th Degree Felony contrary to NMSA 1978.
• Reckless Driving, 66-8-113, a Misdemeanor contrary to NMSA 1978.

No one was injured during the incident.