On March 5, 2026, around 5:11 P.M., Washington County Sheriff's Deputy responded to a road rage traffic accident in Hugo, Washington County, Minnesota. Victim, a known adult, said he was driving eastbound on Frenchman Road and was cutoff by another vehicle, driven by Javier Mendoza, [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein. Victim tried to get around Defendant's S. U. V. After Victim got past the S. U. V., Defendant side swiped Victim's truck. After that occurred, Victim pulled in front of Defendant's S. V. U. And gestured for Defendant to follow his truck.
Defendant pulled his S. U. V. Up to Victim's truck and again drove his S. V. U. Into Victim's truck and Victim described it as Defendant driving it through the passenger side of Victim's truck and ended up with his truck up on the curb. Defendant then drove away from this incident, drove through the red light, turned and parked in the parking lot of an automotive sales building. Defendant parked then quickly exited the S. U. V. And removed the temporary license plates. Deputy got Victim's information and then went into the business and spoke with Defendant.
Defendant said that there was a road rage incident with Victim. Defendant said that Victim [NAME REDACTED] in front of him, exited the truck, and threw his hands up in the air. Defendant said he feared what Victim might do so he accelerated his S. U. V. And drove into the front driver's side of Victim's truck, to avoid the situation. Defendant said he parked at the business and went inside of it because Victim refused to acknowledge what happened nor exchange information. Photographs of the vehicles were taken and damage to Victim's truck exceeded $1,000. Defendant never attempted to exchange information with Victim.
Defendant is in custody.
