RALEIGH, N.C. — Charges were dismissed against an area Chamber of Commerce president involved in a road rage incident last year.

Kevin Nelson was charged with one misdemeanor count of assault by pointing a gun during an incident with a couple in another car. The couple told police Nelson was angry after they failed to turn right at a red light in October 2003.

Nelson told police he showed the gun to stop the altercation from escalating.

The judge agreed to drop the charges Friday in Wake County District Court after Nelson completed a First Offender's Program.

When a suspect is charged with a misdemeanor and it is their first offense, they qualify for the First Offender's Program, which involves 6 months of community service and not getting into any more legal trouble. Once a person completes the program, their charges are dismissed.

Nelson remains as the president of the Garner Chamber of Commerce.