Man accused of attacking driver with ashtray

A motorist who offered a couple a ride to Idaho suffered a possible broken collarbone when his passenger allegedly hit him with a crystal ashtray in apparent confusion over the route they were taking.

The Missoulian reports 48-year-old Michael John Miller was charged Monday with felony assault with a weapon.

Previous reports indicated Miller was from Idaho Falls — however, police said Miller was from Nevada and had family in Idaho Falls. Also, they said he and the driver knew each other.

Court records say Jack Whitmore offered Miller and his girlfriend a ride to Idaho, but his van was unable to tackle the Interstate 90 mountain passes. While traveling on Highway 200 on Saturday, Miller allegedly asked where they were going and began choking Whitmore and hitting him with the heavy ashtray.

Miller called 911 to report Whitmore tried to kidnap his girlfriend. Responding officers said Miller seemed to be under the influence of drugs and had blood on his shirt.