'Road rage' case involving handgun results in arrest in Port St. Lucie
PORT ST. LUCIE – A 43-year-old woman with children in her vehicle was arrested over the weekend in what police described as a 'road rage' case when she was accused of pulling a pistol on other motorists, a police spokesperson said.
Nicolle Marie Peith was jailed on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill following the Saturday incident in the area of Northwest University and Northwest California boulevards in St. Lucie West.
Officer Brittany Holly, Port St. Lucie Police spokesperson, said Monday that Peith indicated she was driving a Nissan sport utility vehicle 'at a lower rate of speed than what was posted … because there was a vehicle in front of the suspect that was going slower.'
'The vehicle behind her, our victims, allegedly were honking the horn at her,' Holly said.
Holly said the victims, two women in a four-door Kia, couldn't see the slower vehicle in front of Peith.
'It escalated from there … hence the road rage incident where she eventually brandished a firearm out of the window and then proceeded to exit her vehicle and threaten them with the firearm,' Holly said.
Peith believed the women were following her, but the women indicated they they were headed to a nearby event. The women pulled over to call 911.
Peith said she brandished a firearm, a Glock handgun, according to Holly.
Holly said Peith had children with her.
'She did say that she was on her way to drop children off at a sleepover,' Holly said.
Holly suggested motorists try to de-escalate any 'road rage' type incidents.
Detained, then arrested: One student arrested at Sebastian River High School
Fatal crash: Deadly crash late Tuesday on Florida's Turnpike in Port St. Lucie
'Don't engage,' she said. "Call 911, provide plate, make, model of vehicle, and we can handle it from there.'
It wasn't immediately clear Monday whether Peith had obtained legal representation in the case.
Peith was released Saturday from the St. Lucie County Jail on $10,000 bond, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 'Road rage' case with gun lands woman in jail in St. Lucie County
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