LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA — A 54-year-old Fort Myers man is facing felony charges after Lee County deputies said a road rage incident along Alico Road escalated into an assault when the suspect allegedly chased a semi-truck driver and struck him in the head with a baseball bat before attempting to flee.

Deputies arrested Devin Hotsko, 54, and charged him with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

According to the police report, the incident began when the victim was driving a semi-truck eastbound on Alico Road and Hotsko allegedly made an obscene gesture at him. Deputies also said Hotsko made offensive hand gestures toward the victim.

Both vehicles stopped at the intersection of Alico Road and Cam Court, where the victim got out of his semi-truck to confront Hotsko. Deputies said the two men argued near Hotsko’s van, and the victim then began walking back toward his truck.

Deputies said that is when Hotsko returned to his vehicle, grabbed a baseball bat, chased the victim, and struck him in the head, with one account stating the victim was hit in the back of the head. The victim was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, deputies said.

Body camera video captured the moments Lee County deputies arrested Hotsko on Wednesday, authorities said.

Deputies said Hotsko attempted to flee the scene by driving away, but he was located and arrested a short distance away on Alico Road before he could get far.

Deputies said Hotsko has a criminal history that includes a prior arrest for aggravated battery in 2017.

A Lee County driver, Jonathan Deguzman, described the incident as unnecessary and said, “I just think it’s crazy. I think that there’s no need to escalate things to that situation. I just like to stay alert on the road. Always look more than ten feet ahead of you. Be pre-cautious.”

In guidance shared after the incident, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office recommended that if someone finds themselves in a similar road rage situation, they should stay in their car and leave the area, and call 911 if approached.

The case remains under investigation.

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