Florida man charged in fatal shooting during argument at Berks County truck stop off I-78

A Florida man has been charged with first- and third-degree murder and related charges after being arrested following a fatal shooting Friday at an Upper Bern Township truck stop.

Travis J. Pugh, age unavailable, Jacksonville, is charged with two counts of murder, possession of a firearm without a permit, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, disorderly conduct and harassment.

State police said the shooting took place during an argument early Friday morning at Love’s Travel Stop on Mountain Road near the Shartlesville interchange of Interstate 78. James Alexander Hilton, 40 of Southampton Township, N.J., was killed

Troopers said the argument began while the victim was helping another driver park his truck in the rear lot at Love’s. Pugh, who was not the person the victim was helping, became angry, and an argument ensued.

During the argument, Pugh shot Hilton.

State police were called to the scene at 2:48 a.m., and troopers issued a bulletin calling on law enforcement within a 99-mile radius of the scene to be on the lookout for the suspect’s tractor-trailer.

Troopers from the Fogelsville station spotted the vehicle about 20 miles east of the truck stop at the I-78 New Smithville interchange in western Lehigh County. The driver was on the ramp heading westbound on the interstate. State police followed the truck. They pulled over the driver as he was exiting at the Krumsville interchange and arrested him at 3:31 a.m., Bailey said.

Pugh is being held in Berks County Prison, according to troopers.