A chaotic case of road rage on Highway 42 led deputies straight to a Summerfield man already under investigation for allegedly punching a woman in the face two days earlier.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the intersection of Highway 42 and SE 73rd Ave on June 7 after a Tesla driver reported being rear-ended by an enraged motorist. The victim told deputies he had just exited the Publix parking lot when an older white Toyota sedan began tailgating him, weaving between lanes, and blaring its horn at him and nearby drivers.
Without warning, the Toyota slammed into the back of the Tesla. The victim slowed down and moved over, only for the Toyota to speed past — the driver, described as an older white male, allegedly extended his middle finger as he fled westbound. The Tesla driver followed at a distance until the suspect turned onto SE 73rd Ave, a dead-end street, where the victim stopped and waited for deputies.
Damage to the Tesla was enough to prompt a criminal mischief and hit-and-run investigation. When deputies arrived at the home at the end of SE 73rd Ave, they found a white Toyota sedan parked out front with visible front-end damage, a crack in the bumper, and a piece of red plastic embedded — consistent with the Tesla’s reflector.
The driver, identified as James F. Ashley, admitted post-Miranda that he had been behind the wheel and “firmly tapped” the Tesla after claiming the other driver ran him off the road. He was arrested on charges of criminal mischief and leaving the scene of a crash.
But that was only half the story.
Deputies were already familiar with Ashley due to a domestic disturbance reported at the same address just two days prior. A woman who lives with Ashley had initially told deputies that he was having a panic attack, throwing items around the house, including shoes, which struck her and caused bruising. Later, she changed her account, claiming she accidentally hurt herself on a coffee table and fan while trying to help him.
Later that night, when the two were in bed, Ashley allegedly put his arm around her. She told him not to touch her due to her injuries, then bit his arm when he wouldn’t stop. She claimed he retaliated by punching her in the eye.
Deputies noted the woman had a black eye, but she was uncooperative during the investigation, frequently changing her story and offering vague details. Ashley claimed the bite startled him awake and that the punch was accidental. No bite marks were found on his arm.
Ashley was transported to the Marion County Jail and booked on charges for both the road rage incident and the domestic battery. Records show he has two prior battery convictions — one in Lake County (2001) and another in Monroe County (2012).
