Truck Driver Held in Tailgating Incidents
A truck driver was arrested Wednesday after he tailgated several drivers and tried to force a car driven by an off-duty police officer off the the Simi Valley Freeway, authorities said.
Eugene A. Lukas, 49, of Simi Valley, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon--the 18-wheel truck he was driving--Simi Valley Police Lt. Richard Thomas said.
Lukas, driving west on the freeway near Yosemite Avenue, tailgated several drivers, cutting closely in front of them as he passed, Thomas said. He then followed “just a few inches” behind the off-duty Los Angeles police officer’s car, Thomas said. Lukas tried to force the officer’s car off the road, Thomas said.
Both Lukas and the officer stopped on the shoulder of the road. The officer told Lukas he was under arrest and a scuffle ensued, police said.
The officer, whose name was not released, held Lukas until Simi Valley police arrived, Thomas said.
Lukas was treated for cuts at Simi Valley Adventist Hospital and taken to the Ventura County jail, officials said.
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