POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Dundee man was arrested Saturday after allegedly firing a handgun at another driver during a road rage incident east of Haines City. Joseph Martinez, 35, is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder following the confrontation on Lake Hatchineha Road.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), deputies responded to the area of Lake Hatchineha Road and HL Smith Road around 4:13 p.m. on June 7th after receiving a report of a shooting.
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Martinez was the first to contact authorities, initially claiming he had accidentally discharged his firearm in his vehicle, shattering his front passenger side window. He told deputies that while steering with one hand and holding his gun in the same hand, a black Toyota Celica suddenly swerved in front of him. Martinez stated he had to quickly hit the brakes, leading to the “inadvertent” firing of his weapon.
However, the investigation took a different turn when deputies made contact with the driver of the Toyota Celica in Poinciana. The other driver provided a conflicting account, alleging that Martinez, driving a Hyundai sedan, began tailgating him and acting aggressively after being passed.
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The Toyota driver stated he “brake-checked” Martinez in an attempt to get him to back off. This action, however, reportedly escalated the situation, with a gunshot heard immediately followed by the shattering of the Toyota driver’s side window. Fortunately, the victim was not injured.
Detectives concluded that Martinez intentionally fired his gun at the victim. He was subsequently arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on charges of attempted second-degree murder.
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