By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A "road rage" incident last weekend sent a motorcyclist to the hospital and caused a second driver to be charged with aggravated assault, according to police.
The incident took place Sept. 20 at 4:15 p.m. on Sandhill Road and Emerald Road in the Kendall Park section of the township, according to police.
In a press release earlier this week, Lt. Jim Ryan said that police responded to the intersection to find motorcyclist Erik Schmitt, 22, had been thrown off of his 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle after allegedly being struck by a 2007 Pontiac driven by Samantha Lawrence, 24, of North Brunswick.
Mr. Schmitt was transported by paramedics and the Kendall Park First Aid Squad to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for treatment of a concussion and road rash and then released two days later, police said.
Witnesses told police that Ms. Lawrence and Mr. Schmitt were "crossing the double yellow lines" as they headed west on Sandhill Road.
When Mr. Schmitt slowed down, witnesses said, Ms. Lawrence’s car struck the rear of the motorcycle and ejected Mr. Schmitt onto the road.
After a further investigation by Traffic Officer Jesse Blake and Detective Mike Pellino, it was determined that the incident started back further on Sandhill Road and Route 1, police said.
According to police, Mr., Schmitt was driving in front of the Pontiac and believed Ms. Lawrence was tailgating him.
When he motioned for her to back off, police said she allegedly passed him, skimming the saddle bag on the motorcycle.
Then, police said, when Ms. Lawrence slowed on Sandhill Road to make a turn, Mr. Schmitt allegedly pulled up next to her and started yelling at her and smacked her side mirror on the car.
Police said that as Mr. Schmitt continued west, Ms. Lawrence gave chase, eventually striking Mr. Schmitt as he tried to make a turn.
Ms. Lawrence surrendered to South Brunswick police and was charged with third degree aggravated assault.
She faces up to five years in jail if convicted, according to police.
Ms. Lawrence was released on her own recognizance pending her first court appearance, police said.
