Fort Myers Florida Man Arrested After Road Rage Assault Co-Starring a Baseball Bat
The traffic light on Alico Road was doing its job. The drivers, however, were not. What started as a few seconds of frustration behind the wheel in Fort Myers, Florida, ended with flashing lights, a hospital visit, and an arrest.
Deputies say the incident unfolded Wednesday, December 17. It happened in the afternoon, along the busy Lee County corridor. Tempers can flare fast when traffic stacks up and patience runs thin.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, a North Fort Myers man named Devin Hotsko made offensive hand gestures toward another driver while both cars were stopped at a light.
The other driver, who was operating a semi-truck, stepped out to confront him. That choice changed everything.
Deputies say Hotsko went back to his car, retrieved a baseball bat, chased the truck driver, and struck him in the head
The victim was transported to a hospital with (reportedly) only minor injuries.
Body cam video released by authorities shows deputies arresting Hotsko a short distance away on Alico Road after he fled the scene.
According to Gulf Coast News, investigators also noted that Hotsko has a criminal history, including a prior aggravated battery arrest in 2017.
The case now adds another data point to a troubling pattern. Road rage incidents are increasingly physical, not just verbal, especially when drivers exit their cars.
The Zebra reported that in a 2024 survey, 96% of drivers say they’ve witnessed road rage behavior. In the seven years leading up to October 2024, the outlet says 12,610 injuries and 218 murders resulted from road rage.
Fort Myers drivers were shaken
Jonathan Deguzman, who drives in Lee County regularly, said there’s no reason to escalate a situation like that. He stressed staying alert and thinking farther ahead than the bumper in front of you.
How to handle road rage safely
Safety experts are consistent on one point: Do not engage.
AAA advises drivers to stay inside their cars, avoid eye contact, create distance when possible, and call 911 if they feel threatened. Forget about “winning,” keep cool, and avoid confrontation.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Myers echoes that advice. Stay in your car. Leave the area if you can. Call for help if someone approaches you.
