By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
LAWRENCE — A road rage incident that started in Pennsylvania and ended on Lawrence Road resulted in an assortment of charges filed against an Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, man after he shattered another driver’s car window with a flashlight, according to the Police Department.
Louis Eric Freeman, 54, was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, criminal mischief and possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana) in connection with the incident, which was reported at 7:36 p.m. Dec. 8, police said.
The incident began in Pennsylvania, when Mr. Freeman’s 2005 Ford Excursion nearly collided with another car, driven by a 19-year-old Morrisville, Pennsylvania, man, as they attempted to merge onto Route 1 in Pennsylvania, police said.
The victim told police that Mr. Freeman intentionally followed his car on Route 1 into New Jersey. The victim said that as he passed the area of St. Ann’s Church on Lawrence Road, Mr. Freeman’s Ford Excursion passed his vehicle on the passenger’s side and struck it.
Both vehicles came to a stop, and that’s when Mr. Freeman got out of his Ford Excursion and approached the driver’s side window of the victim’s car, police said. Mr. Freeman used a “mag” flashlight to shatter the driver’s side window, sending shards of glass onto the victim’s face.
Mr. Freeman got back into his Ford Excusion and fled south on Lawrence Road. Police stopped Mr. Freeman on Princeton Pike, near Fairfield Avenue. He was released after posting bail, which had been set at $13,000 with the 10 percent option.
The victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries to his face.