Delaware State Police arrested 34-year-old Joseph Bartell of Newark, Delaware, for aggravated menacing following a road rage incident Monday morning.
Officials said on November 6, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m., troopers responded to Summit Bridge Road south of Pulaski Highway for a reported shooting.
The investigation revealed that there is a construction zone on S Chapel Street in the area of Dawson Drive that forces travelers in the right lane to merge into the left lane. A Chevrolet Silverado, driven by a 22-year-old man from Newark, was traveling southbound in the right lane of S Chapel Street, approaching the construction zone.
A Jeep Liberty was traveling southbound in the left lane on S Chapel Street. The Silverado merged into the left lane as it entered the construction zone, causing its left rear bumper to slightly hit the right front bumper of the Liberty. When the roadway opened back up to two travel lanes, the driver of the Liberty shot a BB gun at the Silverado, causing its window to shatter according to officials. Police said through investigative means, Joseph Bartell was identified as the driver of the Liberty. After Detectives contacted Bartell, he turned himself in at Troop 2 on November 7, 2023, where he was charged with the following crimes:
- Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
- Reckless Endangering Second Degree
- Criminal Mischief
Bartell was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on an $8000 unsecured bond.
