A 43-year-old truck driver from Virginia is behind bars after he allegedly fired multiple shots at a semi-truck during a road rage incident on Interstate 75 in Marion County.
On Sunday, March 3, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to Love’s Travel Stop located at 7791 NW 47th Avenue in Ocala in reference to shots being fired at a vehicle. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the male victim who stated that he was driving a semi-truck southbound on I-75 when a man, later identified as Dylan Nissan Belleastin, threw a water bottle at his truck, according to the arrest report.
The victim advised that he initially pulled over to confront Belleastin, but he ultimately “decided against it” and drove away. According to the victim’s statement, Belleastin continued to follow him and eventually pulled alongside his vehicle.
Moments later, the victim stated that Belleastin pulled out a handgun and fired several shots at his semi-truck. The deputy noted in the report that one of the rounds struck the frame of the mirror, one round shattered the passenger window, another round struck the interior driver’s side windshield, and three rounds hit the side of the truck.
The report stated that the damages to the victim’s semi-truck were estimated at around $5,000.
The victim told the deputy that he “slammed on the brakes” to avoid being shot during the incident. Then, while “fearing for his life,” the victim stated that he retrieved his own handgun and fired five rounds at Belleastin’s semi-truck, according to the report.
After the incident, Belleastin briefly exited I-75 onto Highway 326 and pulled into the Love’s Travel Stop. He then drove away from the truck stop before continuing southbound on the interstate.
MCSO immediately launched an investigation and obtained information, including dash camera footage from Belleastin’s semi-truck cab, that helped identify him as the suspect in this case.
According to the sheriff’s office, the dash camera footage clearly showed Belleastin shooting at the victim on two separate occasions. Belleastin was also observed retrieving a second handgun and pointing it at the victim without firing.
On Wednesday, March 6, Belleastin was located by MCSO deputies in the 600 block of SW 52nd Avenue in Ocala. The sheriff’s office stated that United States Marshal Service agents assisted in the search for Belleastin.
After being placed under arrest, Belleastin was transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with shooting a missile into a vehicle, aggravated assault, criminal mischief, and displaying a firearm during the commission of a felony.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.