Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 39-year-old man Wednesday evening following an in-progress road rage incident that escalated into a confrontation at a Clifton shopping center.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded around 7 p.m. on December 17, 2025, to the area of 31 1/2 and Patterson Roads after a victim reported being harassed by another driver. Dispatchers advised the victim to head toward the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office substation in Clifton for safety.
Deputies located the suspect vehicle, driven by Matthew Pixler, in the Peach Tree Plaza shopping center. Pixler reportedly refused repeated commands to stop, prompting deputies to block his vehicle. When he continued to refuse orders to exit, deputies deployed less-lethal alternatives to remove him from the truck.
The sheriff’s office says Pixler remained combative both during the arrest and later at the Mesa County Detention Facility. A dog inside his vehicle was unharmed and placed in the care of Animal Control.
Pixler is suspected in multiple prior road rage incidents reported earlier that evening. He was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- Assault – 2nd Degree (F4)
- Drove Vehicle Under the Influence (M)
- Vehicular Eluding (F5)
- Reckless Driving (Traffic Violation)
- Reckless Endangerment (M2)
- Obstructing a Peace Officer (M2)
- Resisting Arrest (M2)
- Criminal Mischief $2,000–$5,000 (F6)
- Vehicular Assault While Under the Influence of Alcohol (F4)
- Criminal Attempt (F5)
- Open Container in Motor Vehicle (Traffic Violation)
- Drove Without Safety Belt in Use (Traffic Violation)
- Cruelty to Animals (M1)
- No Insurance in Possession (Traffic Violation)
- Drove Without a Valid Driver’s License (Traffic Violation)
This article is related to a previous incident: Vehicle Pursuit, F Rd & 32 1/2 Rd Clifton
Photos by JunctionNow