CLEARFIELD – A Bethlehem man accused of firing a gun near a road crew waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court.
Jernane Lamont Coleman, 43, is facing felony counts of possession of firearm prohibited and firearms not to be carried without a license in addition to a misdemeanor count of recklessly endangering another person.
He is currently in the county jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on June 12, state police were called to Interstate 80 to intercept a blue Volvo truck/tractor.
This truck had reportedly stopped in a vehicle fire clean up work zone that was restricted to one lane, causing a traffic hazard.
One of the crew members approached the driver and an argument ensued. The worker yelled at the driver to get moving before there was an accident.
The driver moved the vehicle about 50 yards before he allegedly discharged two rounds in the air.
A trooper was able to locate the vehicle and spoke to the driver, identified as Coleman. He told the officer that he had two firecrackers that he threw out a window.
During their discussion, the trooper noted two brass shell casings lying on the floorboard of the truck. When Coleman was asked about them, he reportedly admitted he shot two rounds into the sky because he feared the work crew might engage him in a physical fight.
Coleman said the pistol was under his bunk bed in truck. It was located, seized and placed into custody.
While checking Coleman’s criminal history, the trooper discovered Coleman was a convicted felon and not permitted to possess a gun.