A 29-year-old Oregon man is accused of pursuing a terrified couple for more than a mile while driving in reserve after allegedly swerving into oncoming traffic during a road rage incident.
According to the Beaverton Police Department, Arman Hastings followed the victim’s car through multiple lanes before the driver led him directly to police headquarters.
Front- and rear-facing dashcam footage uploaded by the Beaverton Police Department on YouTube captures the frightening encounter, showing Hastings allegedly cutting off the couple before repeatedly chasing them for reasons that remain unclear. Throughout the ordeal, the driver’s wife can be heard screaming and crying in fear.
During the chase, the husband told dispatchers he repeatedly saw Hastings reaching inside his coat, leading him to believe the other driver might be armed.
The terrified driver called 911 to report the incident. “Hi, I have a disturbance, someone is following me. I don’t know. He seems like he has a weapon or something.He was trying to go under his clothes to grab one,” the caller said. He later added, “Okay. I have to make a U-turn because he’s blocking the road.”
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As the pursuit continued, the caller told dispatchers, “He’s driving in reverse with me. Oh, my god, this guy is crazy. I just need…he’s driving in reverse right now trying to follow me in reverse…. I’m coming up to a red light, and he’s coming here with me right now. Oh, my God. He’s about to hit another car right now.”
Rather than driving aimlessly, the victim headed directly to the Beaverton Police Department, where officers were waiting and arrested Hastings without incident. Investigators later found that Hastings had a prior conviction for assaulting an officer.
Police also recovered a black airsoft handgun from Hastings’ pocket, which investigators said helped explain why the victim believed he might have been reaching for a firearm.
The police department said in a statement, “The investigation determined that Arman K. Hastings, 29, of Beaverton, allegedly drove recklessly while pursuing another motorist following a road rage confrontation. During the incident, Hastings entered oncoming lanes of traffic, intentionally cut off the victim’s vehicle, and at one point drove in reverse for over a mile while continuing to pursue the victim.”
“The victim, who was in his vehicle with his wife, reported that Hastings repeatedly reached toward his coat in a manner that caused the victim to believe he was reaching for a firearm.”
Police added, “…Hastings was arrested and lodged at the Washington County Jail on charges of reckless driving and menacing,” BPD said in the official statement.
Viewers in the comments section expressed alarm over the disturbing incident and voiced relief following the suspect’s arrest.
“This incident should require the offender to lose his driver’s license for at least one year, and be required to complete rehab under psychologist care before he ever is allowed to get his license back. It should be an offense that is never expunged from his driving or criminal record as well!” one commentator wrote.
Another added, “The camera car obviously did something that triggered that guy. If you’re not ready for the smoke, then don’t road rage at all.”
A separate comment read, “Good job also to the driver who called it in! This made me want to invest in front and rear cameras. Anyone know what kind of camera system he has to record the front and rear like this?”
“At this point ramming someone with your car while they chase you down is definitely self defense,” said a fourth user.
Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available.
