Road Rage Case Flares Up in Spencer Road Construction Area

A 26-year-old Brighton man was arrested Monday after state police say he repeatedly rammed his Ford Escort into a Cadillac Escalade that carried a woman and seven children on a one lane road crossing a bridge under construction over U.S. 23.

State police say the man got out of his car on the Spencer Road bridge and pounded on the driver's side window before ripping off the driver's side mirror. He then walked away from the scene and was later arrested running through nearby woods by Brighton police, who were called to assist.

The man was taken to Livingston County Jail where he faces charges of felonious assault and malicious destruction of property, said state police, who were dispatched to the scene at 6:25 p.m. and labeling the case as road rage.

According to police, the Escalade driver, a 34-year-old Pinckney woman, said the incident began when the Escort was driving erratically on northbound Old U.S. 23 by cutting off another vehicle and tailgating her.

The two then stopped at the light controlling the single-lane going over the Spencer Road bridge in Brighton Township. After the light turned green, the man attempted to pass the woman, but couldn't because the roadway was too narrow. He then hit her vehicle so hard she needed to use her brakes to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of her.

The man approached the car after hitting her vehicle again. She locked the doors. Ages of the children inside were 2 to 15.