Feb 20, 2019 2 min read

A North Belle Vernon man was jailed after allegedly attacking his girlfriend while she was driving on Interstate 79, then spitting on the police officer who arrested him Sunday evening.

Police said Josue Estela-Otero, 40, of 301 Ella St., and his girlfriend, Rachel Manges, were traveling south on I-79 in North Strabane Township about 8:30 p.m. when Estela-Otero became angry with Manges. According to the criminal complaint, Estela-Otero was intoxicated when he grabbed Manges’ cellphone and threw it out the window.

The complaint said Estela-Otero then kicked and punched the center radio display screen and grabbed the steering wheel, causing their vehicle to swerve on I-79. He then pushed her face with his hand while she was driving, police said.

Estela-Otero allegedly told Manges, “I am going to kill you. I am going to kill both of us,” the complaint said.

Manges was able to exit the highway at Racetrack Road and park the car at the BP gas station. Police said Estela-Otero then exited the vehicle and began to throw rocks at the driver’s side window, where Manges was seated.

A South Strabane police officer arrived and took Estela-Otero into custody. State police also arrived and said they witnessed Estela-Otero spit out the patrol car window onto the South Strabane officer’s forehead.

State police said Estela-Otero smelled of alcohol and would not give them any information about who he was or submit to a blood test. Police charged him with aggravated assault, driving under the influence, terroristic threats, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief, throwing a dangerous missile into an occupied vehicle, harassment and two summary traffic violations.

He was arraigned Monday morning by District Judge Robert Redlinger and jailed on $20,000 bond.