UPDATE DECEMBER 19, 2025

A current mugshot of Matthew Pixler, 39, is now available. It has been added to this post and the previous mugshot has been removed.

Update December 18, 2025

CLIFTON, COLO. - On December 17, 2025, deputies responded to a report of an in-progress road rage at approximately 7 p.m., in the area of 31 ½ and Patterson Roads. Deputies advised the victim of the harassment, through dispatch with the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center, to drive to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office substation in Clifton. 

Deputies located and intercepted the suspect vehicle in the Peach Tree Plaza shopping center. The suspect refused multiple commands to stop his vehicle, which resulted in deputies blocking his vehicle. The suspect refused to exit his vehicle resulting in the use of less lethal alternatives to remove the suspect from the vehicle. The suspect remained combative with patrol deputies and Mesa County Detention deputies after arriving at the jail. 

The driver, Matthew Pixler, 39, was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on one charge each of the following:

• Assault - 2nd Degree, Felony 4
• Drove Vehicle Under The Influence - DUI, Misdemeanor
• Vehicular Eluding, Felony 5
• Reckless Driving, Traffic Violation
• Reckless Endangerment, Misdemeanor 2
• Obstructing A Peace Officer, Misdemeanor 2
• Resisting Arrest, Misdemeanor 2
• Criminal Mischief - $2,000-$5000, Felony 6
• Vehicular Assault While Under Influence Of Alcohol, Felony 4
• Criminal Attempt, Felony 5
• Open Container In Motor Vehicle, Traffic Violation
• Drove Without Safety Belt In Use, Traffic Violation
• Cruelty To Animals, Misdemeanor 1
• No Insurance In Possession, Traffic Violation
• Drove Vehicle Without Valid Drivers License, Traffic Violation

A current booking photo has not been taken at this time, but a previous photo of Pixler from October 2025 is being provided. 

INITIAL RELEASE ON DECEMBER 17, 2025:

On December 17, 2025, at approximately 7 p.m., deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Peach Tree Plaza, 3229 I-70 Business Loop, for what was initially reported as a harassment and road rage incident.
The suspect vehicle was located by deputies who pinned the vehicle in between marked cars and deployed less-lethal alternatives to gain compliance of the adult male driver. This driver is suspected in multiple other road rage incidents reported to the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center prior to deputies stopping the threat.
A dog inside the suspect’s vehicle was unharmed and turned over to Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control officers. The suspect was taken into custody and is currently being booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on multiple pending charges related to this incident. No further information is available at this time.
We greatly appreciate the response of both Palisade and Clifton Fire Departments to this scene.