A Kalispell man accused of forcing another motorist off the road and leveling a handgun at him last month is facing a felony case in Flathead County District Court.  

Prosecutors charged 55-year-old Richard Harrydonald Amaker with a single count of assault with a weapon following the alleged July 27 confrontation near the intersection of U.S. 2 and East Reserve Drive in Evergreen. Amaker is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson on Aug. 20 for his arraignment.  

The victim told Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies that he first crossed paths with Amaker while driving along U.S. 2 with his wife and baby about 11:23 a.m., according to court documents. That's when the family was overtaken by a speeding pickup truck.  

The victim recounted shouting at the driver of the pickup, who he described as wearing a yellow sweatshirt, but said neither man got out of their vehicle.  

After the exchange, the victim pulled into a gas station off U.S. 2. Parking next to a pump, he noticed the pickup had followed him off the highway, court documents said. Seeing the pickup park near the business' front entrance, the victim decided to get back onto the road.  

But the pickup began tailing the victim and his family as they headed south, according to court documents. The driver forced the family off the road and allegedly began waving a black handgun out of the window, the victim told investigators.  

The victim recalled holding his hands up, afraid he was about to get shot, but the man drove off and headed north.  

Using surveillance footage from the gas station, authorities identified the suspect's vehicle, a Dodge pickup, and traced it back to Amaker, court documents said.  

Deputies headed to Amaker's West Reserve Drive home about 1:15 p.m. that same day, according to court documents. Under questioning, Amaker allegedly recounted driving on U.S. 2 when another motorist made a rude gesture at him, which he said he returned in kind. 

Amaker allegedly denied following the victim until deputies informed him that the surveillance footage showed him pulling out after the other man's vehicle. Although he admitted to tailing the victim, he denied pulling out a handgun, court documents said.  

He allegedly told investigators that he pointed a finger at the victim.  

With Amaker's permission, deputies entered his truck and retrieved a black handgun from beneath the driver's seat, court documents said. They also spotted a yellow sweatshirt inside the vehicle.  

Amaker later confirmed the handgun belonged to him, court documents said.  

Assault with a weapon is punishable by up to 20 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.