ST. IGNACE, MI-- A downstate man has been arrested and charged for firing a gun in a road rage incident on the Mackinac Bridge.
Michigan State Police from the Gaylord Post say it started early Saturday afternoon on US-2, when two vehicles were eastbound on their way to the bridge. William Pirkola, 65, of Ludington said a vehicle ahead of him wouldn’t let him merge. It apparently happened again as they approached the bridge toll booths. After going through the booth, the second vehicle—driven by a 63-year-old Williamsburg man—pulled in front of Pirkola’s vehicle due to a lane closure. Pirkola hit the second vehicle. The Williamsburg man got out of his car to confront Pirkola, who pulled out and pointed a handgun in the air and fired one shot.
Troopers seized a .40 caliber and a 9mm handgun, along with a spent .40 caliber cartridge recovered from the driver’s seat.
Pirkola was lodged in the Mackinac County Jail and arraigned Tuesday on one count of reckless discharge of a firearm, a misdemeanor. He was released on a personal recognizance bond.
His next court date is set for July 13.
