A 38-year-old California man was arrested for assault after an altercation with another driver on a high-country mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains over who had the right of way.

Ouray County Undersheriff Tammy Stroup said a man identified as Sammy Spaccamonti, of San Diego, was driving a Jeep Rubicon downhill on the Ouray side of Imogene Pass last Saturday when he encountered a car driving uphill.

The passenger in the Toyota Tacoma going uphill, a 42-year-old man from Montrose, got out of the car and was going to ask Spaccamonti to move when a verbal altercation occurred.

Stroup said according to backcountry travel etiquette, vehicles traveling uphill have the right of way.

Spaccamonti allegedly got out of his Jeep, and punched the man, causing him to lose consciousness.

The incident was first reported by the Ouray County Plaindealer.

The victim eventually made it back to town and notified authorities of the alleged assault. He was taken to Montrose Memorial Hospital, Stroup said.

A Ouray County Sheriff’s Office deputy walked the town’s Main Street attempting to locate Spaccamonti, who was found at a local brewery and taken into custody without incident.

Stroup said Spaccamonti was taken to the Montrose County Jail on a $2,500 bail. He is scheduled to appear Aug. 27 for a court hearing.

jromeo@durangoherald.com