Myrtle Avenue Closed After Road Rage Incident

Clearwater Police are on the scene of a three-vehicle wreck on Myrtle Avenue
just north of Court Street, where a driver allegedly assaulted a fire inspector and then burned a hole in the pavement trying to get away, police say.

Drivers are advised to stay away from southbound Myrtle Avenue until repairs are made. The road has been closed to traffic.

A minor accident occurred about 4:30 p.m. in the southbound lanes of Myrtle Avenue. When Fire Inspector II Ron Neuberger tried to reach into the truck to make sure the ignition was turned off, he was punched by the driver of that vehicle, according to Clearwater Police.

The driver of the truck, Gary Steven Cook of Palm Harbor, is being questioned for suspicion of DUI and battery on a firefighter, which would be a felony charge.

Neuberger was not injured by the punch, fire officials said.

The southbound lanes of Myrtle Avenue were shut down as crews work to fill the hole caused by the left rear wheel of Cook's truck.

There were two other cars in front of his truck, so he could not get away, but continued to gun the gas pedal until the tire had burned up and dug a hole several inches deep in the blacktop, police said.

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