Smith and Hobbs

Desmond L. Smith (left) and Cornelius X. Hobbs (right).  Photos: Ada County Sheriff's Office

MERIDIAN - Idaho State Police arrested two men Tuesday after citizen reports of erratic driving and shots being fired from a vehicle on Interstate 84 in Meridian.

Beginning shortly before 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, Idaho State Police dispatchers began receiving multiple calls from motorists about an erratic driver on westbound Interstate 84 near Eagle Road.

Citizens reported the driver of a black Nissan Versa was not maintaining its lane and changing multiple lanes at once. One citizen reported the suspect vehicle had driven off the interstate at Eagle Road but then drove through the dirt between the off-ramp and the freeway to get back on the interstate. Another motorist reported the driver, then eastbound, hit the concrete median damaging the vehicle but was continuing on the roadway.

A short time later, a motorist called ISP dispatch reporting seeing someone inside a vehicle matching the same description on I-84 holding a gun outside the window. The witness reported several shots were fired from the handgun.

Shortly after Idaho State Police troopers and officers from other local agencies began searching for the suspect vehicle, at approximately 3:20 p.m., a Meridian Police officer located the suspect vehicle just north of I-84 near S. Main Street and E. Corporate Drive in Meridian.

Following an initial investigation, police arrested the driver of the vehicle, identified as 21-year-old Desmond L. Smith, and a passenger, identified as 28-year-old Cornelius X. Hobbs, both from Mississippi. Both were booked into the Ada County jail on multiple charges.

No injuries were reported in connection with the incident. The incident remains under active investigation by the Idaho State Police with assistance from the Meridian and Boise Police Departments.

Hobbs was charged with Discharge of a Firearm and Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol.

Smith was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Carrying a Concealed Weapon While Under the Influence, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol, and Driving Without Privileges.