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Joaquim Pereira, of Wethersfield of Hartford County, is charged with first-degree threatening with a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree breach of peace in connection with the road rage incident, Connecticut State Police said. Pereira turned himself over to police on an unrelated warrant on Thursday, Oct. 30.
The alleged incident happened on Aug. 10, when a driver said they "accidentally" cut off Perreira on Route 15 in Hartford to make it to exit 89 in time. They said in their statement to police that Perreira sped up to flip them off then reached down and pulled out a pistol.
When police spoke to Pereira, he admitted to pulling the gun and showing it but added he never intended to use it.
"I never intended to shoot anyone with the gun, I just wanted to warn him," Pereria said in his written statement.
He said he waved the gun around to make sure the other driver knew he had it, the police report said.
Pereira was released after posting a $75,000 bond, authorities said. He's scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 18.
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