WALLOWA COUNTY — Wallowa County Sheriff Joel Fish confirmed Monday, Aug. 29, that the July 8 stabbing that left a Hermiston man dead at Hells Canyon Overlook was the result of a “road rage” incident.

Fish confirmed that Dan Ridling stopped where he saw the alleged stabber stop at the overlook parking lot. He confronted the man and pulled a firearm but then was distracted. The other man, who is from Albany but has yet to be publicly identified, used the distraction to pull a fixed-blade sheathed knife similar to a hunting knife.

The altercation resulted in a fatal knife wound to Ridling’s torso. He died at the scene.

Fish said Monday that the issue still has to go before a grand jury, and it has been backed up with cases. The grand jury and the district attorney will then decide on any possible charges.

Fish said at the time of the incident, that the Oregon State Police Major Crimes Unit was requested and responded to assist with the investigation, the release stated.

The man who is believed to have done the stabbing cooperated with the investigation, Fish said. Ridling’s wife also was interviewed.