Mass. Man Victim of Road Rage

A couple of Massachusetts seniors were the latest victims of a road rage incident that occurred last night in Newburyport.

The couple, both 69-years-old, from Lawrence, Mass., were driving on Storey Avenue (Route-113) when another driver behind them , Neil Christopherson, 39, of Derry, NH, got upset and used his vehicle, a Mini Cooper, to injure one of them for driving too slowly.

Police said that Christopherson, who was travelling east on Route 113 through West Newbury, came upon the couple’s 2007 Cheverolet Impala. He became upset that they were driving below the 50-mph speed limit, and drove within 2 feet behind their car. He then began to wave a baseball bat out of his window, signaling the Impala driver, who pulled over to let him go by, the Eagle Tribune reports.

Christopherson stopped his car behind the Impala, too. Both drivers got out of their cars, engaging in verbal altercation. According to the police, Christopherson then got back in his car and drove into the 69-year-old man, hitting his hands, elbows and knees at least three times.

After two witnesses came to help the victim, Christopherson got into his car and drove off, but he was soon traced to a Dunkin’ Donuts store and held until police arrived.

Christopherson, who has no prior criminal record, is now being held on $25,000 cash bail on charges with three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon to a person over 65, one count of assault by means of a dangerous weapon (bat) on a person over 65, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

He will be arraigned today in Newburyport District Court, the news report said.

The victim suffered only minor injuries.