A Kalispell man facing an assault with a weapon charge following a road rage incident in Evergreen in March pleaded not guilty Thursday.

According to court documents, Raymond Wayne Brackel, 51, made his plea in front of Judge Amy Eddy. He is free on $20,000 cash bail.

According to a criminal complaint, Brackel allegedly retrieved a three-headed ball hitch from the back of his black Chevy pickup after he punched another driver. Witnesses allege Brackel began swinging the ball hitch in their direction and threatened to kill someone before he drove away.

The alleged incident occurred in the area of Birch and East Evergreen Drive on March 9.

The alleged assault victim said he was driving east on Evergreen when he nearly collided with a black Chevy pickup passing him from the same lane. Both drivers reportedly stopped and a fight ensued. According to the police report, Brackel had to be pulled off of the SUV driver after striking him with a closed fist about six times.

Witnesses said Brackel turned to his pickup and retrieved a three-headed steel ball hitch. Then the witnesses claim he came back at them, swinging the ball hitch at them and threatening to kill one man. According to the police report, Brackel noticed officers starting to arrive and took off in his pickup.

Law enforcement located Brackel, who allegedly admitted to taking part in the altercation, and to grabbing “something” from his truck. Officers reported locating a truck hitch in the bed of Brackel’s pickup that matched the witnesses’ description.

The maximum sentence for this charge is 20 years in state prison and/or up to $50,000 in fines.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.