Man Thinks Pepsi Can Is Gun, Fires Two Shots at Other Driver: Prosecutor

A Worth man was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm after he fired two shots at another driver when he mistook a Pepsi can for a gun, prosecutors said in court on Wednesday.

Joseph Montana, 29, was on his way home from work when he and another driver had an altercation in traffic, prosecutors said.

According to the charges, Montana flipped the other driver off at 48th Street and Lockwood in unincorporated Stickney. Seeing a Pepsi can in the other’s hand, Montana opened his car door and fired two shots at the other driver’s vehicle.

The other driver was not hit. Prosecutors said police recovered two shell casings.

Montana’s attorney told the judge that his client drove from the scene stopping a block away until he felt that he was out of danger.

The attorney said that Montana immediately called police and told them what happened and was fully cooperative with detectives by providing a statement. Montana claims the other driver was flashing gang signs and allegedly had a gun.

Prosecutors said that Montana had a FOID card and conceal-carry permit. He was asked to surrender both, along with his gun.

The judge set bail at $30,000, with ten percent to apply.