A Kalispell man is facing a felony charge after allegedly trying to run another vehicle off the road in August.  

Prosecutors brought Jose Marcelino Rodriguez, 42, up on one count of criminal endangerment following the Aug. 15 incident. He is expected to appear before Judge Paul Sullivan in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 1 for his arraignment.  

The victims told authorities that the driver of a white van with Oregon plates nearly forced him, his teenage son and another teenager off the road near the intersection of U.S. 93 and Beaver Lake Road west of Whitefish at about 1:09 p.m., according to court documents. Though they turned onto Twin Bridges Road to get away from the other motorist, the victims alleged that the van continued to follow them and began tailgating them.  

They reported traveling south on Farm to Market Road at speeds of up to 105 mph to get away from the van, according to court documents. Told to pull over near West Valley School, the trio waited for Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies to meet them there.  

The victims later told investigators that the apparent bout of road rage began after they passed the van, which they described as going under the speed limit at the time, according to court documents. The van sped up and later passed the victims' truck, making an obscene gesture as they went, court documents said.  

The two vehicles allegedly continued to pass each other with the driver of the van repeatedly hitting the brakes when they got ahead of the truck. The victims recounted the van coming to a complete stop at one point. The driver exited and yelled that he was going to kill them, according to court documents.  

While the victims talked with investigators, other deputies tracked down the van as it headed east on Old Reserve Drive. It pulled over for the deputies near the intersection with Stillwater Road, court documents said.  

Inside, deputies found six to eight Spanish-speaking individuals, including the driver, who was identified as Rodriguez, according to court documents. Rodriguez told the deputies he was headed from Eureka to Kalispell on U.S. 93 when a truck passed him. 

Rodriguez said he continued heading south toward Kalispell with the truck in front of him, according to court documents. He said there were no other interactions between him or the truck.  

Initially held on $50,000 bail, Rodriguez was released after posting bond.  

If convicted, Rodriguez faces up to 10 years imprisonment 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.