Ligonier Twp. Road Rage Incident Ends In Gunfire
LIGONIER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A road rage confrontation ended in gunfire and now both drivers are facing charges.
Charles Gallo, 63, started as the victim, but wound up in handcuffs.
He was driving on Route 381 in Ligonier Township at about 10 p.m. Sunday when he called 911 to report an erratic driver who was riding his bumper.
The situation quickly escalated when 39-year-old Patrick Pirl passed him and then slowed to 15mph in front of him.
Pearl then pulled over and cut Gallo off, turning so violently that it left tire marks on the road.
"I think at this point you have a pretty good understanding I think on both sides," Ligonier Township Police Chief Michael Matrunics said. "It's both actor and victim. It's how we're kind of looking at it at this point because they're both filed on actions against each other."
Gallo told police he had no place to go and felt threatened so he pulled out his glock semiautomatic weapon and fired two shots at Pirl's truck, one striking him in the arm.
Pirl told police he knew he was in the wrong but didn't know why he did what he did. He had been drinking at Bull's Tavern and had a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit.
The man who fired the gun was taken to jail on $50,000 straight cash bond. The other man is free on an unsecured bond.
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