ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.
-- Flager Beach police officer has been arrested for attempted murder, after
investigators say he shot a Flagler County firefighter during a road rage
incident Friday evening.
Police say Nathan Juratovac, 40, was driving north on US 1 with his wife and child, when he fired multiple shots into another vehicle driven by 30-year-old Jared Parkey. Parkey was hit twice and airlifted to UF and Shands Jacksonville where he was questioned by police. He was later released. Parkey's wife was also in his vehicle, and was not injured.
The investigation into what sparked the shooting is still ongoing, but Cpl. Catherine Payne with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office tells Action News the preliminary findings lead them to believe it started with road rage.
Juratovac's wife, who is a Corporal with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Traffic Division was not on duty at the time. Payne confirms she is not facing any charges and was one of several witnesses questioned.
Neighbors who watched the investigation unfold Friday tell Action News they never imagined a former police officer was involved.
"It's really not that important to waste your whole life on getting mad at a car beside you," said Paula Sims. "My thoughts and prayers go out to both families because we'll never know what happened on the road last night and it's really sad. The whole thing is very sad."
Jared Parkey turned down Action News' request for a statement, but a friend confirms he is home recovering. He has been employed with the Flagler County Fire Department for five years.
It is unclear if the two men knew each other prior to the shooting Friday.
Police say Nathan Juratovac, 40, was driving north on US 1 with his wife and child, when he fired multiple shots into another vehicle driven by 30-year-old Jared Parkey. Parkey was hit twice and airlifted to UF and Shands Jacksonville where he was questioned by police. He was later released. Parkey's wife was also in his vehicle, and was not injured.
The investigation into what sparked the shooting is still ongoing, but Cpl. Catherine Payne with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office tells Action News the preliminary findings lead them to believe it started with road rage.
Juratovac's wife, who is a Corporal with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Traffic Division was not on duty at the time. Payne confirms she is not facing any charges and was one of several witnesses questioned.
Neighbors who watched the investigation unfold Friday tell Action News they never imagined a former police officer was involved.
"It's really not that important to waste your whole life on getting mad at a car beside you," said Paula Sims. "My thoughts and prayers go out to both families because we'll never know what happened on the road last night and it's really sad. The whole thing is very sad."
Jared Parkey turned down Action News' request for a statement, but a friend confirms he is home recovering. He has been employed with the Flagler County Fire Department for five years.
It is unclear if the two men knew each other prior to the shooting Friday.
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