HOLLYWOOD, Md. — A California man was charged after a reported road-rage altercation in Hollywood left another driver injured and led police to recover a handgun from the man’s vehicle, according to charging documents.
Charles Edward Bates II, 43, of California, was charged with second-degree assault following the May 23, 2026, incident.
Maryland State Police responded around 1:24 p.m. to the area of Maryland Route 235 and Hollywood Road for a reported assault in the roadway.
Charging documents state troopers arrived to find a man unconscious and being treated by medical personnel. The man was later transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment of a minor wound to the back of his head.
Investigators were told the incident began while two drivers were traveling southbound on Three Notch Road near Loveville Road. Bates told investigators he and the other driver had a verbal altercation while driving before both vehicles came to a stop on Three Notch Road near Hollywood Road.
A witness told investigators the other driver approached Bates’ vehicle, and Bates opened his driver-side door while seated in the driver’s seat. Bates then exited his vehicle, and the two men became involved in a physical altercation, according to charging documents.
Charging documents state the other driver later reported he could not remember whether he exited his vehicle or was pulled from it. He reported being involved in a physical altercation with Bates and claimed Bates displayed a firearm and threatened to shoot him.
Police were also told Bates had a concealed carry permit and a firearm in his vehicle. A deputy recovered a Canik TP9 Elite SC from the passenger-side door.
During an interview, Bates told investigators he retrieved the firearm from a satchel and placed it in the center console at the beginning of the encounter. He denied pointing it at the other driver or threatening him with it, according to charging documents.
Bates was arrested and transported to the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack. He was later taken to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. Charging documents state Bates was medically screened at the detention center and transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for high blood pressure.
Court records show Bates was initially held without bond. After a May 26 bail review before Judge James Tanavage, he was released on recognizance.
A trial is set for July 21 in St. Mary’s County District Court.
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Other driver should of been charged too
Sounds like self-defense. Bates removed his firearm from the situation by taking it off his person.
the other driver is a white former Saint Mary’s police officer, so there’s no way he’d be charged in this county even though he was the aggressor and clearly in the wrong. Not when there’s a black man to blame. The dash cam footage at the hearing will clear everything up but the white guy won’t be charged (as he certainly should be) and Charles will receive neither an apology or compensation for lost work.