COTTONWOOD, AZ – A man was arrested for allegedly running people off a road with his truck on Thursday.
Dwight D'Evelyn with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy was flagged down by two motorists on Beaverhead Flat Road around 5:15 p.m.
D'Evelyn
said a 49-year-old Clarkdale woman was extremely distraught and explained she had just been run off the road by someone driving a black Ford truck.
The other motorist told the same story and both were visibly upset by the actions of the truck’s driver, according to D'Evelyn.
The deputy immediately began searching for the vehicle, which was reportedly located on Cornville Road.
The driver, 50-year-old John Petrosky, apparently admitted passing cars on Beaverhead Flat road but claimed it had been safe to do so.
The area where the incident was reported does not have marked passing lanes due to several curves in the road.
D'Evelyn
said during a record check, Petrosky’s license was found suspended and he was arrested for violating a court order not to drive unless in possession of a valid license.
During the traffic stop, the Clarkdale woman reportedly arrived and provided details about the Petrosky’s driving behavior.
She recalled the Ford truck forcing her and another motorist following her off the road as it passed at high speed on the roadway’s double yellow line, said D'Evelyn.
She also said that, as the Ford was passing her, a van with child passengers traveling in the opposite direction was reportedly forced to the side of the road to avoid a head-on collision.
The woman said the incident was one of the most frightening moments she ever experienced in her years of driving, according to the report.
D'Evelyn
said deputies determined that Petrosky’s driving constituted felony endangerment and he was also charged for that violation.
Petrosky was uncooperative throughout the investigation and threatened YCSO personnel during his arrest, transportation and booking at the Camp Verde Detention Center, said D'Evelyn.
His final booking charges included Felony Endangerment, Disobey Court Mandate, Threatening and Driving on a Suspended License. He remains in-custody on $250,000 bond.
Deputies would like to locate the driver of a blue mini-van described by the witness as having to leave the roadway to avoid a collision with Petrosky and is encouraging that person to contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately – refer to case 09- 024488.
