Gun pulled during traffic dispute, report claims

SANDPOINT — A motorist was arrested for felony assault for allegedly pointing a pistol at another motorist during a traffic dispute on U.S. Highway 95 in Sagle on Monday afternoon.

Michael William Santino made an initial appearance in Bonner County Magistrate Court on Tuesday, although information about bail and the appointment of counsel was not immediately available.

A man driving a motorhome told sheriff’s deputies that he attempted to overtake Santino in a four-lane section of highway because he was driving below the posted speed limit, according to a probable cause affidavit. The man said Santino sped up to thwart the passing maneuver and he fell in behind Santino’s Saturn.

The motorhome driver told sheriff’s deputies that he clearly saw Santino reach over and place the pistol on a headrest before turning around and pointing it at him, prompting him to call 911 and summon law enforcement, the affidavit said.

Santino, 60, denied producing a pistol and said he reached over to the headrest for purposes of comfort, the affidavit said. He further accused the other driver of attempting to pass him in a no-passing zone and then tailgating him, according to the affidavit.

A fully loaded KelTec .22-caliber pistol was found tucked between a passenger seat in Santino’s Saturn, court documents indicate.

A preliminary hearing in the case is set for July 10.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.