RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - An 18-year-old driver who accidentally cut off another vehicle in traffic "feared for her life" when the other driver allegedly threatened her with a handgun, according to a report from a Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputy.

The teen flagged down Deputy Victoria Capps at approximately 3:04 p.m. Tuesday on Northwest Broad Street near Interstate 840 to report the alleged assault. She provided a photo of the black Nissan truck driven by the suspect.

Dispatchers quickly radioed the vehicle description to deputies. Within minutes, Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Danckwerth located and stopped the truck on Veterans Parkway.

Capps charged the driver, Paul Jacob Marx, 41, of Westlawn Boulevard, with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

The 18-year-old and her 17-year-old passenger reported that the incident began near Lee Victory Parkway and Almaville Road when she inadvertently cut off Marx's vehicle. He allegedly swerved, drove aggressively close to her car, and then leaned forward, holding up a handgun while appearing visibly angry, according to Capps' report.

The teen driver told deputies she “felt threatened and feared for her life, considering someone would brandish a firearm over a traffic altercation.”

Danckwerth transported Marx to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, where he was charged and booked. He was later released on a $20,000 bond. His hearing is scheduled for July 21 in General Sessions Court.

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