An East Helena man is accused of intentionally hitting another man with his truck during an argument in Bozeman on Friday.
Bozeman police arrested 60-year-old Brian Belling Friday afternoon after he allegedly argued over electrical work with the owner of a store in the 2800 block of North 19th Avenue, then struck the man with his truck.
According to court documents, a Bozeman police officer responded to the store around 2:45 p.m. Friday, following a report that “the suspect got irate and ran the reporting person over.”
Belling had reportedly left the scene when the officer arrived and was contacted by another officer asking him to return.
The man who was allegedly hit told the officer Belling had returned to the store to finish electrical work from the day before. The man said he didn’t notice Belling had entered the store until he was on his way out.
Court documents say the man approached Belling in his truck to get a work order showing the work had been completed. According to the man, Belling got out of his truck and started yelling and cursing in the man’s face.
Belling reportedly got back in his truck after the man backed away. The man then began taking pictures of Belling’s truck and license plate, court documents say, and the two continued arguing after Belling rolled down his window.
Belling allegedly started lurching his truck toward the man at that point, eventually hitting him and causing him to fall on his left knee. The man said he called 911 as Belling left the scene.
The reporting officer said as he was interviewing the store owner, Belling returned to the scene. The officer spoke with him, and Belling reportedly said he believed the man threw himself on the hood of his truck and fell to the ground in an attempt to fake the incident.
Belling appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court on Monday, where his bail was set at $2,500. His next court appearance is set for Sep. 27.
