MoDOT’s state safety coordinator denies pulling out gun during road rage incident
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The state safety coordinator of the Missouri Department of Transportation denies that he wielded a gun during a road-rage incident in Jefferson City.
Harry Adrian IV, of Tuscumbia, was charged Wednesday in Cole County with felony unlawful use of a weapon. A criminal summons was issued for him the same day, and an entry of appearance and not guilty plea were entered on Friday.
Adrian’s lawyer, Ben Faber, said the claims were made up.
“My client denies these charges,” Faber told ABC 17 News. “They were filed after a disgruntled driver made a false police report. Unfortunately, because this person made an allegation against Mr. Adrian, he has been charged with a felony offense and now must defend himself not only in court, but in the court of public opinion. We are confident that Mr. Adrian will be cleared of these charges and look forward to putting this nonsense to rest.”
The probable cause statement says Adrian was accused by two people of pulling out a gun and pointing it at them during a road rage incident around 3 p.m. Sept. 22.
A deputy wrote that he stopped Adrian’s vehicle while he was following the alleged victim’s vehicle in the 3000 block of Highway 54 East in Cole County.
Adrian allegedly told deputies that he was involved in a road rage incident, but claimed he held a cellphone instead of a gun, the statement says. Deputies found a handgun in Adrian’s Ford F-250, the statement says.
Online records show Adrian has worked for MoDOT for 12 years.