Semi driver charged with attempted murder after road rage incident on I-80

A 56-year-old semi-truck driver was arrested for allegedly shooting at another semi-truck driver in an apparent road rage incident on Interstate 80 in Newton.

Patrick Lee Miller, of Malvern, has been charged with felony counts of attempted murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of reckless use of a firearm. The victim — whose name is not identified by Newton Police Department — was not injured.

According to a press release, authorities responded to a report of shots fired at around 7:07 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2 at the 164-mile marker of Interstate 80.

In the course of the investigation, police determined the driver of a blue Peterbilt tractor pulling a white grain trailer had fired multiple rounds at the victim’s semi as they attempted to pass. The victim then pulled into the Love’s Travel Center in Newton while the shooting suspect continued eastbound in the interstate.

Approximately two-and-a-half hours later, deputies from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office located the blue Peterbilt tractor and grain trailer parked on the off-ramp at the 179-mile marker exit. Miller was detained and a search warrant was executed for his semi, finding a handful and multiple spent shell casings.