JACKSON – A road rage incident that occurred on Maria Street in Jackson eventually resulted in an attempted murder charge being lodged against a 38-year-old male resident of Ewing Township, Mercer County.
According to the Jackson Police Department, on May 8 at 4:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to a reported stabbing incident on Maria Street. Police Officer Robert Reiff arrived at the scene and found a female who had sustained a large slash across her face. Police said the female was bleeding heavily.
Police said an investigation determined the female had been followed to her residence by an unknown male who initiated a confrontation with her over an alleged road rage incident. It was reported the male punched the female and threatened to kill her as he held a knife to her throat and then slashed her face. As a neighbor intervened and called 911, the suspect fled the area.
A description of the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle was obtained and a short time later Sgt. Michael Kelly observed the vehicle on Toms River Road.
Kelly stopped the vehicle, but as the sergeant exited his patrol vehicle, the suspect’s vehicle pulled away from the scene. A pursuit was initiated as the suspect fled at a high rate of speed, according to Jackson police.
As the suspect attempted to make a turn from Toms River Road onto West Veterans Highway, he swerved into the opposite lane of travel and struck a vehicle near the intersection.
Other officers responding to the scene stopped to assist the occupants of the vehicle that had been struck.
The suspect continued to operate his 2018 Kia in what police described as a reckless manner at a high rate of speed. At that time Kelly terminated the pursuit of the suspect’s vehicle.
As the suspect continued to drive at a high rate of speed, he struck a second vehicle in the rear on West Veterans Highway and forced that vehicle off the road into woods across from the Switlik School.
The suspect’s vehicle traveled another 500 feet before it became disabled on West Veterans Highway. At that time the male suspect was taken into custody by Patrol Officer Andy Falzarano, according to police.
The suspect’s vehicle was impounded and a knife that was allegedly used in the incident involving the female was recovered as detectives responded to assist with the investigation.
Officers from the Ocean County Sheriff’s CSI unit and investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office also responded to process the scenes and to collect evidence.
Police said the female who was stabbed was transported to a hospital for treatment. The occupants of the two vehicles that were struck by the suspect’s vehicle were treated at their respective scenes for what police described as minor injuries.
Jackson police said a 38-year-old male resident of Ewing Township was arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, terroristic threats, eluding, aggravated assault (causing bodily injury during a pursuit, six counts), driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to breath testing and other motor vehicle offenses. He was processed and transported to the Ocean County Jail, Toms River.
As the investigation proceeded through the evening, it was determined the man from Ewing Township had been involved in a separate incident with a Lakehurst Avenue resident just before the stabbing occurred.
During that incident, the suspect reportedly threatened an individual after parking in front of his residence. Police said complaints are pending in regard to that incident.
