A traffic dispute between two strangers ended when one driver shot another at Pebble Drive and Belle Grove Road in Pumphrey yesterday, county police said.

A witness told police a car was tailgating a vehicle on Belle Grove about 12: 22 p.m. before the two drivers pulled over at the Pebble Drive intersection and got out. The witness told police one of the drivers pulled out a 9 mm handgun and shot the other driver.

Police said the victim was shot under the left arm and the bullet entered his chest.

Timothy Earl Elsey, 40, of Coach Lane in Brooklyn Park was in serious but stable condition last night at Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, police said.

Police said Reynaldo Viernes Munoz, 39, of the 9800 block of Lyons Mill Road in Owings Mills was arrested and charged with attempted murder and assault.

Police said the men apparently did not know each other.

Pub Date: 11/16/98