(Newton, Iowa) – A man from Mills County faces a trio of felony charges following an incident Sunday, in eastern Iowa. According to the Newton Police Department, a little after 7-p.m., Sunday, Newton Police responded to reports of gunfire during a road rage incident on Interstate 80. Investigators determined that the driver of a blue Peterbilt semi pulling a white grain trailer fired multiple rounds at another semi as the victim attempted to pass near the 164-mile marker. The victim pulled into Love’s Travel Center in Newton, while the suspect continued eastbound on I-80.

At approximately 7:36 p.m., Jasper County Deputies located a matching blue Peterbilt with a white grain trailer parked on the off-ramp at the 179-mile marker exit off I-80. The driver, identified as 56-year-old Patrick Lee Miller of Malvern, Iowa, was detained. A search warrant was executed on the semi, leading to the discovery of a handgun and multiple spent shell casings.

Miller was arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail. He faces charges of:

• Attempted Murder (Class B Felony)
• Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon (Class C Felony)
• Going Armed with Intent (Class D Felony)
• Reckless Use of a Firearm (Aggravated Misdemeanor)

The victim was not injured. Authorities confirm this was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.