Off-Duty State Trooper Charged In Road Rage Incident

An off-duty Maryland state trooper was arrested Sunday night for suspected road rage, police said.

Baltimore County police responded just before 6:30 p.m. for a reported assault on Interstate 695 near the Liberty Road exit. Police found that a man and woman were traveling on the outer loop when the man changed lanes. At that point, police say a Volkswagen Jetta came beside their car. He then allegedly pointed a handgun at the couple.

Police identified the suspect as Trooper First Class Zachary Tyler Bowen, 28, of the 300 block of Leyton Road in Reisterstown. He was subsequently arrested at his home.

Bowen is charged with two counts each of first- and second-degree assault, and one count of use of a firearm in commission of a felony or violent crime.

Maryland State Police said Monday that Bowen was suspended without pay immediately after he was charged. A sworn member of the force since January 2012, he was most recently assigned to the automotive safety enforcement division. In additional to the criminal investigation, state police internal affairs investigators will conduct an administrative probe.

At a bail review hearing Monday, Bowen was released on his own recognizance. Online court records do not list an attorney. A preliminary hearing is set for April 12.