DERBY LINE — A 23-year-old Derby Line man faces felony charges after claiming he drove off Route 5 to escape gunfire during an alleged road rage incident, though police found no evidence of shooting.
Joshua Kuhaneck pleaded not guilty to felony reckless driving and driving with a suspended license following the September 22 incident near Fish and Game Road.
According to Vermont State Police, Kuhaneck reported around 12:15 a.m. that his vehicle had left the roadway. When Trooper Logan Miller arrived approximately 30 minutes later, Kuhaneck claimed a passenger in a dark Toyota Tundra had shot at him during an attempted passing maneuver.
The incident allegedly began at the Cow Palace in Derby, where Kuhaneck told police he encountered a truck stopped at an intersection. After waiting about 30 seconds, Kuhaneck reported the truck repeatedly started forward before braking suddenly. He claimed when he attempted to pass, a passenger leaned out and fired a weapon.
Kuhaneck estimated he was traveling between 60 and 80 mph during the encounter, well above the posted 50 mph limit.
Investigation of the crash site revealed tire tracks stretching several hundred feet, indicating the vehicle had traveled nearly sideways down a hill before leaving the road at its base. Despite Kuhaneck’s claims, Trooper Miller’s examination of the vehicle found no evidence of bullet damage.
Kuhaneck, who told police he had been returning from a regular Saturday fishing trip with a friend, has a previous conviction for reckless driving. Judge Thibault released him on conditions following his arraignment.
