LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two Lake County men were arrested following a road rage incident Wednesday that culminated in a fight in the parking lot of a local fast food restaurant.
Damon Joe Shepherd, 29, of Lakeport and Travis Wayne Vaughn, 28, of Nice were taken into custody early Wednesday evening, according to the Lakeport Police Department.
A report from Sgt. Jason Ferguson explained that the incident began on the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff where Shepherd is alleged to have cut in front of Vaughn, nearly causing an accident.
Ferguson said that, as both drivers entered Highway 29 in the Hill Road area it was alleged that Vaughn then cut Shepherd off.
He said Shepherd followed Vaughn to the Taco Bell, located on Parallel Drive in Lakeport, and they allegedly got into a verbal confrontation in the parking lot.
Acting Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said police received a call about the confrontation at Taco Bell at approximately 4:42 p.m.
“A Lake County Probation officer called in the incident at Taco Bell,” Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said the probation officer saw Shepherd allegedly brandishing two knives in a threatening manner toward Vaughn before police arrived.
Lakeport Police sent two units to the scene, Rasmussen said.
After officers determined both Shepherd and Vaughn were intoxicated – each were given field sobriety tests – both men were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol, Ferguson said.
Shepherd was additionally charged with brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner and possession of a dangerous weapon, Ferguson said. Rasmussen added that Lakeport Police had prior contacts with Shepherd.
Ferguson said both men were taken to the Hill Road Jail where they were booked.
Shepherd's bail was set at $10,000, and he remained in custody Thursday night, according to jail records. Vaughn posted his bail, set at $1,740, and was released.
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