State police have taken a significant step in addressing a disturbing road-rage incident. On Saturday morning around 11:44 a.m. on Route 7 South near Exit 11, a 78-year-old man's car was rammed into and he was punched in the face. This harrowing event unfolded before the victim's eyes and left him with minor injuries.

Unraveling the Details of a Brutal Road-Rage Incident

Initial Incident on Route 7 South

The victim was in the right lane when a driver in a blue BMW suddenly sped up while he was attempting to change lanes, blocking his path. Once the BMW passed, the 78-year-old managed to move into the left lane. However, the BMW driver then slammed on the brakes and stopped abruptly. This unexpected action caused the victim to swerve to avoid a crash, but the BMW cut in front and sideswiped the passenger side of his vehicle.

Aftermath and Assault

After being struck, the victim pulled over to the right shoulder. The other driver spun across the left lane and into the median before getting back onto the highway, ramming into the back of his vehicle. The assailant then got out of the BMW, walked toward the victim, opened his door, and punched him in the face. He even took the victim's cell phone from his hand, slammed it on the ground, and returned to his car and left.

Investigation and Arrest

Witnesses provided crucial information to dispatchers, stating that the driver was in a blue BMW 330x and got off I-84 at Exit 6 in Danbury. State police promptly alerted police in several towns to be on the lookout for the vehicle. New Milford police assisted in the investigation and located the registered driver's address. A trooper arrived and arrested a 55-year-old man. He has been charged with multiple serious offenses including reckless driving, evading responsibility with physical injury, failure to drive on the right side of the roadway, improper acceleration while being passed, failure to drive in the proper lane, criminal mischief in the first degree, third-degree assault of an elderly victim, and reckless endangerment in the second degree. The suspect was released on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Danbury Superior Court on Dec. 19.