Florida man accused of flashing gun at student driver in road rage incident
SANFORD, Fla. – A 67-year-old Seminole County man was arrested after deputies say he pulled a gun during a road rage confrontation with the stepfather of a student driver.
According to investigators, the incident happened Thursday afternoon near Sanford, when James Bottoms became frustrated with a young driver attempting to turn left at a flashing yellow light. The girl, who had recently received her learner’s permit, was behind the wheel with her stepfather in the passenger seat.
The stepfather told deputies he exited the vehicle to defend his daughter after Bottoms began acting aggressively. “I said, ‘Hey man, you need to calm down. I’m teaching my daughter how to drive. Have a little bit of patience,’” he recalled. Moments later, he said Bottoms pointed a firearm at him.
The teenage driver described the encounter as frightening. “I was very scared. I was very, very shaky. I was terrified,” she said.
Bottoms told deputies he believed the stepfather was pointing something at him and claimed he feared for his life.
He was arrested at the scene and charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Bottoms is currently being held in jail on $10,000 bond.
It’s unclear whether Bottoms has a prior criminal record or if he plans to contest the charges.
The family has asked not to be publicly identified, citing concerns for their safety.
