A Mt. Pleasant man was charged with aggravated assault in a road-rage incident near New Stanton this week in which he allegedly rammed his car into another man after punching him.
State police also charged James Alan Tremmel, 41, of 216 W. Smithfield St., with simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid license.
In a criminal complaint, Trooper Edward Neminski said Tommy Lee Horner was taken to Excela Health Westmoreland hospital in Greensburg on Monday afternoon for treatment of minor injuries.
Horner, whose age and hometown were not listed in the complaint, has not been charged with any criminal offenses or cited for any alleged driving violations related to the incident, according to court records.
Eyewitnesses told police that Horner and Tremmel had turned off Route 119 south onto an onramp for Toll Route 66 about 1:35 p.m. Monday.
Tremmel allegedly tried to pass Horner on the ramp, the witnesses said, leading Horner to pull over and get out of his car to confront him.
Tremmel then got out of his 2007 Chrysler 300 sedan and punched Horner in the neck and ribs and threw Horner onto the hood of Horner's car, the complaint states.
Tremmel returned to his car while Horner stood in front to try to keep him from driving off, according to the document.
"The accused then accelerated, striking the victim, in turn, causing the victim to be thrown up and over the hood area of the accused vehicle and then falling onto the ground on the west shoulder of the roadway," Neminski wrote.
Tremmel then left on Route 119 south with his front windshield cracked and a missing side mirror, police said.
Hempfield District Judge James Falcon set Tremmel's bond at $20,000 unsecured and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Sept. 7.
