A 29-year-old Oregon man is in custody after allegedly pursuing a couple in reverse for more than a mile in a road rage incident captured on dashcam footage. Arman K Hastings of Beaverton was arrested Sunday morning after the incident, which began in a residential neighborhood and ended when the victims reached the Beaverton Police Department.
During the chase, the victim told 911 dispatchers that Hastings repeatedly reached toward his coat as though he were grabbing a gun, causing the couple to fear for their safety. According to police, a search of Hastings' jacket uncovered a black airsoft handgun.
Beaverton Police Officer Matt Henderson stated that based on the dashcam footage, there was nothing to suggest the victim's driving would have warranted such a response. "There was nothing from what we saw on the dash cameras that would have led to that being any sort of reasonable response to it," Henderson told KOIN News. "It looked like the victim was driving appropriately."
The confrontation began shortly before 7:30 a.m. when the couple reported a disturbance while driving through a south Beaverton neighborhood. Dashcam footage from the victims' vehicle, a black Toyota Corolla, captured Hastings' Subaru Forester driving behind them in reverse. At one point, the victim stated on the 911 call, "It seems like he has a f***ing weapon or something. He was trying to go under his clothes to grab one."
Footage showed Hastings' Subaru driving closely behind the couple, with the wife heard screaming. The Subaru then reportedly sped past the couple's car, cutting them off and repeatedly maneuvering in front of them as they attempted to escape. The victim told the dispatcher he had to make a U-turn because Hastings was blocking the road. The rear-facing camera then captured Hastings making a U-turn and again speeding toward their vehicle.
When the couple turned at an intersection, Hastings continued to follow in reverse, crossing into oncoming traffic lanes. The victim exclaimed, "He's driving in reverse right now, trying to follow me in reverse! This guy is on drugs for sure! What is he doing?"
The pursuit concluded when the couple reached the Beaverton Police Department, where Hastings was apprehended without incident. Officers recovered the airsoft gun from his jacket.
Hastings has been booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of reckless driving and menacing. His first court appearance was scheduled for Thursday morning.
Authorities are investigating the motive behind the incident, but no evidence of a prior dispute has been found. Officer Henderson advised that victims of such encounters should call 911, drive to a public place like a police station or mall, and remain on the phone with dispatchers, emphasizing not to go home. He also highlighted the value of dashcam footage in assisting law enforcement investigations.
