LEESBURG, Fla. – A Lake County man is facing a felony charge after deputies say he used a tractor to threaten a roadside work crew because he was upset about their flashing safety lights.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened Monday night near County Road 452 and Felkins Road in Leesburg, just outside the property of 52-year-old Johnny Paulk.
Investigators said Paulk initially approached the workers on foot and began arguing with them about the flashing warning lights being used at the work site.
Deputies reviewed cellphone video recorded by the workers, which investigators say captured Paulk making threats during the confrontation. One worker told deputies, “He said he was going to flip our truck.”Another worker described the encounter, saying, “He tried to kill us. The ground stopped his forks.”According to investigators, a second video showed Paulk driving his tractor toward the workers. Deputies said the tractor stopped approximately 15 feet away after its front forks dug into the ground, preventing it from reaching the crew.
Business records reviewed by Sunbiz list the address where the incident occurred as the registered location for Johnny Aaron’s Tree Services, a business registered under Paulk’s name.
Former roadside flagger Nadine Winter, who lives near County Road 452, said safety lights are essential for protecting both workers and motorists.
“We’re trying to help keep people safe,” Winter said. “It’s bloody well important. That’s why we have lights like this.”Deputies later located Paulk after spotting the tractor parked behind a mobile home on his property. Body camera video captured deputies taking him into custody without further incident.
Paulk was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Jail records show he was released Tuesday after posting a $5,000 bond.
He is expected to appear in court next month.