A Houston man faces felony charges after allegedly striking a truck driver who had declined to give him a ride, authorities said.
Jeff Wakenight, born in 1983, is charged with third-degree assault following the alleged incident Wednesday on Route K near Hartshorn. He was arrested and taken to the Texas County Jail. Bond was set at $3,000 cash only.
The victim said Wakenight had hopped onto his semi-truck and asked for a ride to Hartshorn. When the driver declined, Wakenight struck him in the face and injured his nose, the victim said. The driver noted that he then fired a pepper ball gun at him and retreated until law enforcement arrived.
Several apparently related reports to authorities said someone was walking and lying on the highway. A man was also attempting to strike vehicles and had assaulted a truck driver, witnesses reported to Texas County 911.
A witness told a deputy that he had seen Wakenight strike a semi-driver in the face. The deputy, in a report, said Wakenight appeared to be intoxicated.