Police: Storey County DA involved in road dispute Thursday

The Nevada Attorney General's Office has been asked to review a Storey County Sheriff's report in which District Attorney Harold Swafford was involved in an alleged road rage incident with a Dayton man.

Sgt. Ken Quirk said that at about 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, officers were called to Swafford's home in the Virginia City Highlands by Ken Palamar, 46, of Dayton, who reported Swafford battered him.

When police arrived, Swafford indicated that he'd been assaulted by Palamar, said Quirk.

"Deputies interviewed both parties and the incident is under investigation," Quirk said. "Since Harold Swafford is the Storey County District Attorney, the case report will be submitted to the State of Nevada Attorney General."

Palamar said Friday that he was driving on State Route 341, also known as Geiger Grade, to meet his wife in Reno. He said the vehicle in front of him was going 25 mph in a 40 mph zone, but a double-yellow line prevented Palamar from passing.

"So there I am putting along and this red pickup gets right up on me," Palamar recalled. "Then he decided to pass in the double-yellow line. I thought he was going to pass both of us, but he got directly beside me and looked at me."Palamar said the truck then moved in behind the vehicle, forcing Palamar onto a small dirt shoulder.

"First of all, I couldn't believe it. Once I got my senses together I slammed on the brakes. Then I pulled in behind him," he said. "Luckily there was enough room."

Palamar said the truck then passed the vehicle, again while in a double-yellow zone.

"So I followed him to get his license-plate number and he just flat out took off like 70 mph going through the Highlands there," he said.

Palamar said his intention was to follow the vehicle to get the license plate and witness the driver exit.

According to Quirk, Palamar followed Swafford about a mile to Swafford's driveway.

"I planned to stop near Cartwright and Hwy 341 to call 911 because that is where I might get a good signal and there was a safe place to pull over," Palamar said.

He said he dialed 911 after the truck pulled into a driveway and as Swafford was exiting.

"He flew off in a rage, came after me and hit me in the side of the head. I just pushed back and defended myself," Palamar said.

He said he was fairly certain the exchange was caught on the 911 recording. The recording was not available Friday.

When deputies arrived, Palamar and Swafford each claimed to be the victim, said Quirk.

Paramedics were also called to the scene to examine Palamar who'd recently undergone surgery to remove two discs from his neck.

"He hit me in the head," said Palamar. "He could have paralyzed me."

When reached at his office in Virginia City on Friday, Swafford declined comment through his receptionist.