SAN DIEGO - A 33-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with an alleged road rage incident on Interstate 8 that was captured by a dashboard video camera.

Stephanie Pontarolo was arrested by state parole agents and is also facing possible drug and firearm charges, according to jail records. She is due in court June 5.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Pontarolo and Kelsey Shakespeare, 21, were “engaged in an altercation” on Interstate 8 on the afternoon of May 10. An obscene finger gesture by Pontarolo may have been involved, authorities said.

Pontarolo, driving a green Toyota Tacoma truck, drove alongside Shakespeare’s vehicle, then swerved into her silver Volkswagen Jetta, the CHP said.


“As a result of the crash, both vehicles ended up on the right shoulder where the Tacoma overturned on its side,” the CHP said.

The incident was captured on video by a passing motorist.

Pontarolo suffered lacerations to her face, arm and foot. Shakespeare complained of pain in her back.

The preliminary investigation listed the incident as a traffic collision. But the CHP continued its investigation, leading to Pontarolo’s arrest.