Pennsylvania State Police still want information on road rage death
Sunday marked the first anniversary since Timothy “Asti” Davison, 28, Poland, Maine, was murdered on I-81 near Greencastle. He had been driving home from a Christmas visit with family in Florida.
At approximately 2 a.m. Jan. 4, 2014, he contacted 911 in Maryland reporting he was being chased by another motorist who was shooting at him. The call was dropped at the state line, but Davison called 911 in Pennsylvania. The driver of a Ford Ranger pick-up truck, dark lapis blue in color, rammed Davison's Mitsubishi Montero into the median near northbound mile marker 3. The suspect then exited his vehicle and fired several times into Davison's car, killing him. He was pronounced dead at York Hospital.
The suspect fled, driving south on the interstate. The truck likely has driver's side or front-end damage.
Pennsylvania State Police hosted a grim reminder of the one year date. Tpr. Rob Hicks, Troop H Public Information Officer from Harrisburg, and other troopers met with the media Friday morning at the I-81 Welcome Center to answer questions. They did not have new information, but wanted to renew exposure in the public eye to hopefully spur people to offer information, however seemingly insignificant.
Multiple agencies were involved in the investigation from the beginning, and five or six people were still dedicated to the homicide case, said Hicks.
"I am always optimistic that we will solve this," he said. "We are enlisting the help of the surrounding states, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. We sent evidence to the FBI to analyze recently."
Lt. Jonathan Mays, commander of the Criminal Investigation Section, said in a press release that police were committed to solving the crime and giving the family of Timothy Davison peace of mind.
"This has been an extremely difficult case," he said. "We continue to seek, collect and analyze evidence using all means available to us. We also continue to receive and follow up on tips."
Getting the message out
Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Department of Transporation (PennDOT) partnered to bring the incident back into the public spotlight. They will use PennDOT's Twitter and Facebook accounts to spread the message about the road rage death, reiterating a reward offered by PA Crime Stoppers. People with any information should call the tip line at 1-800-4PA-TIPS.
The family of Davison received permission to put a banner on the fence at Mason Dixon Auto Auction, along I-81 near where the incident occurred.
"I hope they get some clues and find out who did it," said manager Wayne Singhas. He did think motorists would not be able to stop to read the sign, though, because of the speed of traffic.
The family is posting flyers in businesses, truck stops and rest areas along the route Davison traveled that night.
Mays stated, "We hope the extra exposure will raise someone's memory or give courage to those with information to come forward if they have been hesitant to do so."
Hicks commented on the case, which is still very much on the minds of law enforcement personnel.
"Someone knows something. That's why we ask people to report even the smallest detail."
PA Crime Stoppers is offering up to $10,000, and the family $12,000, for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the crime.
The Facebook page "Justice for Asti Davison" addresses the latest activities of the family.
Police warn motorists if they see an incident of road rage, to call 911 and describe the vehicle, give the license plate number and location, but not to engage the other driver. People should create a distance between themselves and the aggressive driver.
