By Mary O’KEEFE

Road rage appeared to be the cause of an altercation that occurred between two drivers ending with the arrest of a 59-year-old La Cañada Flintridge man. The arrest was for assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism.

The incident began on July 3 about
10 a.m. when, according to the Crescenta Valley Sheriff report, the victim’s vehicle was driving northbound on Oakwood Drive, north of Foothill Boulevard. He was behind the La Cañada man’s vehicle when he observed him driving close to the right side of the lane. This, according to the victim, made him think the driver was about to make a right turn. The victim drove around the man, on the left side of the vehicle. Minutes later the victim was driving westbound on Green Lane and came to a stop sign. He was about to make a left turn when the La Cañada driver drove in front of his vehicle, blocking his path. The driver got out of the vehicle and began walking toward the victim’s car. He allegedly was yelling at him, asking him why he was running. He then approached the victim’s vehicle and smashed the passenger side of the windshield several times with his right hand. He was wearing a metal bracelet at the time that caused a crack in the windshield.

The victim got out of the car and yelled at the driver who allegedly yelled back that he had almost killed him. The La Cañada man grabbed the victim by the collar. Some people watching stepped in and separated the two.

The La Cañada driver reported that the victim/driver was driving at an excessive speed and cut him off, almost colliding with his vehicle.

Witnesses reported the La Cañada man was angry and that the victim appeared scared. The victim’s vehicle reportedly had four impact areas on the lower passenger side of the windshield and the glass was cracked.

The La Cañada man was arrested.

According to the report, the man told deputies that he had made a mistake “I lost my temper and should have known better.”

  Mary Okeefe