1431 case questions mental health

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  • A “road rage” suspect – pictured here with his vehicle involved in the incident – is being evaluated for mental health issues which could affect the outcome of his case. Contributed
    A “road rage” suspect – pictured here with his vehicle involved in the incident – is being evaluated for mental health issues which could affect the outcome of his case. Contributed
  • Meyer
    Meyer
  • Jewett
    Jewett
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The outcome of an alleged “road rage” incident on RR 1431 east of Marble Falls hinged on questions about the mental health of the suspect involved in the shooting, officials revealed.

As of June 18, David L. Meyer, 57, of Rockford, Illinois remained in the Burnet County jail on several charges stemming from the 2017 incident.

Following a series of pre-trial proceedings, which questioned his “competence and sanity to stand trial,” he was deemed “insane” at the time of the offense, according to prosecutors. As a result, he will be committed to a state mental health facility, officials confirmed.

In January 2018, the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and the 424th Judicial District Attorney’s Office charged Meyer’ with five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, along with one count of aggravated assault on a public servant.

Investigators say the suspect rammed a family’s SUV, ran them off the roadway about eight miles east of the city and then began shooting at them around 10 p.m. on Nov 18, 2017.

During the incident, Meyer was shot by off-duty Austin Police Department Officer Jason Jewett who observed the family under attack.

Jewett was traveling from his job back home when he “came upon a man exiting a red Camaro and pointing a gun at another vehicle, occupied by a family of three, reportedly from Cottonwood Shores,” according to the BCSO press release at the time.

“The off-duty APD officer pulled up, and from what I understand, identified himself,” the release stated. “The subject and the officer exchanged gunfire and the subject was hit at least once, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.” The statement continued

The statement continued that the male subject was located unconscious in nearby brush and was airlifted to Dell Seton Medical Center.

The threatened motorist revealed to Austin media that he was involved in a physical altercation with the suspect.

While gunfire was being exchanged, three of his family members successfully escaped into nearby brush, the report stated.

Meyer first recovered from his injuries at an Austin-area rehabilitation facility. He was then taken to Travis County Jail before being transferred to the Burnet County Jail on Jan. 17 and awaits transfer to the state facility.