Felony charges for man who hit trucker in the face for refusing to give him a ride

A man is facing felony charges after allegedly hitting a trucker in the face for refusing to give him a ride. 

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 6th near Hartshorn, Missouri along Route K. 

According to Houston Herald, Jeff Wakenight hopped onto the side of a semi truck along Route K to ask the truck driver for a ride to Hartshorn. The truck driver declined, so Wakenight responded by hitting the driver in the face. Wakenight then fired a pepper ball gun at the driver and fled. The truck driver then contacted police. 

As police responded to the scene, several more calls came in reporting the man walking along the highway and lying in the road. That man was reportedly trying to hit passing vehicles, and one witness reported him attacking the truck driver for refusing to give him a ride. 

The deputy who responded to the scene reported that Wakenight appeared intoxicated and placed him under arrest. He was taken to the Texas County Jail and placed on a $3,000 cash only bond. He is charged with felony third degree assault.