Blount teacher suspended after alleged road rage incident
From Staff ReportsOriginally published: October 10. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: October 09. 2009 11:57PM
Blount County Schools has suspended a William Blount High School carpentry teacher pending an investigation into an alleged road rage incident that reportedly culminated with a pistol being drawn in the school's parking lot.
Officials will launch an investigation Monday into the Oct. 5 incident involving Harold Gene Huffstetler, 51, Willa Way, Maryville, said Blount County Director of Schools Rob Britt. Huffstetler is a carpentry instructor, and he currently teaches construction core and carpentry I and II, according to the school's Web site.
Britt said he has personally met with Huffstetler to discuss the matter. Huffstetler is currently suspended from his teaching duties, he said.
According to information from the Blount County Sheriff's Office, Huffstetler was involved in an incident on U.S. Highway 411 South with another motorist and his wife.
The two vehicles ended up in the parking lot of William Blount High School and at that time, "Mr. Huffstetler got out of his vehicle and walked back to (the victims') vehicle," the report said.
Huffstetler then allegedly pulled out a Ruger .380-caliber pistol and pointed it at the man.
Huffstetler was arrested at the scene and was charged with aggravated assault and carrying a weapon on school property. He was free on bonds totaling $2,500 pending a 1:30 p.m. Oct. 14 hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court.
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