LAKEWOOD – A Toms River man has been arrested and accused of striking another man and slamming his face into a car during an apparent road rage incident, which left the victim unconscious, according to police.
The alleged assault occurred at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 near New Hampshire Avenue and Chestnut Street after a motor vehicle crash involving both men, police said.
Thomas Vance, 39, of Toms River, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault, police said. He is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending further court proceedings, Capt. Leroy Marshal said in a press release.
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"The investigation determined that a road rage incident between two drivers escalated into a two-vehicle crash," the release said. "Following the collision, one of the drivers allegedly confronted the other driver, slammed the victim's face into the side of a vehicle, and then struck him, causing him to lose consciousness."
Police said the victim who was not identified suffered a small laceration and was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
"Road rage incidents can escalate very quickly and have serious consequences," Lakewood Police Chief Gregory H. Meyer said in the release. "We ask motorists to remain calm, avoid engaging with aggressive drivers, and contact law enforcement if they feel threatened or unsafe. No disagreement on the roadway is worth someone getting hurt or ending up in jail."
Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 38 years' experience who covers Lakewood, Jackson, and several local communities for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of four books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at [email protected] and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter and TruthSocial at @joestrupp
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Lakewood road rage incident sends one to hospital, the other to jail