Just before 1 a.m. Daniel Swan, an 18-wheeler driver for Southland Express of Sandy Hook, Mississippi was travelling southbound on US 59 just south of Cleveland. Swan was running with two other drivers from the same company on a run from Little Rock, Arkansas to Alvin, TX where they were supposed to pick up a load and return to Little Rock.
Just a few miles north of the Montgomery County line they encountered a white Chevrolet pickup driven by Christopher Williams of Nacogdoches, TX. As they approached the Chevrolet in the right lane, the pickup slowed down. That is when a driver tried to pass but the pickup changed lanes and sped up. Several times Williams slowed down and sped up. Williams then opened the window and displayed a pistol before firing two shots in the air. The front driver witnessed the shots and backed off, then called 911. As he was making the call, Swan got close enough to Williams to read the license number and relay it to the other driver who was on the phone with 911.
Williams then sped up and exited Fostoria Road. After taking the exit, Williams ran the red light at Fostoria and attempted to re-enter the freeway. As he was re-entering, the three 18 wheelers were just passing the entrance on the freeway.
Then, the pickup driver passed the 18-wheelers on the shoulder of the road, got in front of them and flipped his middle finger to the drivers. Next, a pistol was positioned outside of the window and Williams fired at least one time into the front of Swan’s 18-wheeler. The bullet penetrated the front bumper and lodged into the transmission cooler, disabling Swan’s vehicle.
Swan and the other drivers pulled over just south of Splendora with Swan’s truck pouring transmission fluid on the ground. They were met there by deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. As deputies were taking the report, Williams’ pickup passed them on the freeway. The drivers immediately noticed the distinctive-looking truck. Sgt. Spiller with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office jumped in her vehicle and was able to catch up to Williams. As she followed him on the feeder, Patton Village, Splendora and additional Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies converged on the intersection of SH 242 and US 59. They took Williams into custody. In his vehicle they were able to locate several weapons and ammunition.
Williams was taken into custody and taken to the Montgomery County Jail. He is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Swan was able to make temporary repairs to his truck to make it approximately two miles to the Flying J Truck Stop.
Swan said he has been driving for over twenty years and has only been in this truck less than five weeks. He said he was glad the shot was no higher.
Liberty County Deputies also responded to the scene to take a report as the first part of the incident occurred in Liberty County.
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