NEWARK, DE — In a road rage incident that escalated dramatically, Delaware State Police arrested 34-year-old Joseph Bartell of Newark, Delaware, on charges of aggravated menacing. The arrest followed an incident on Monday morning where Bartell allegedly fired a BB gun at another vehicle.
The criminal complaint alleges that on November 6, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m., troopers responded to a reported shooting on Summit Bridge Road south of Pulaski Highway. Their investigation led them to a construction zone on S Chapel Street near Dawson Drive where traffic in the right lane was forced to merge into the left lane due to roadwork.
A Chevrolet Silverado, driven by a 22-year-old man from Newark, was traveling southbound in the right lane of S Chapel Street when it approached the construction zone. As the Silverado merged into the left lane, its left rear bumper lightly collided with the right front bumper of a Jeep Liberty also traveling southbound in the left lane.
Once the roadway reopened to two lanes, the driver of the Liberty allegedly shot a BB gun at the Silverado, causing the latter’s window to shatter. Police identified Joseph Bartell as the driver of the Liberty through their investigation.
Bartell turned himself in at Troop 2 on November 7, 2023, following contact from detectives. He was charged with aggravated menacing, a felony, as well as reckless endangering second-degree and criminal mischief.
Bartell was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11. He was subsequently released on an $8000 unsecured bond.
Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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