Driver Assaulted While On I-95 In Greenwich, Man Arrested: CT Police

GREENWICH, CT — A 44-year-old man is accused of assaulting a driver with a child in the backseat of a Jeep that was traveling on Interstate-95 North in Greenwich on Thursday evening, the Connecticut State Police said in a news release Friday afternoon.

Michael Arciuolo, of White Plains, N.Y., was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, two counts of second-degree reckless endangerment of a child, and risk of injury to a child, state police said.

Arciuolo was held on a $25,000 cash/surety bond and was transferred to Bridgeport Correctional Facility pending his scheduled arraignment in Stamford Superior Court on Friday.

No details were released on the driver.

The incident unfolded at approximately 5:50 p.m. Thursday when state police Troop G dispatch began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting "an active assault" in a Jeep on I-95 northbound in the area of exit 5 in Greenwich, state police said.

Callers reported seeing a man, who was a passenger in the Jeep, striking the driver who was yelling to passing motorists for help, state police said.

The Jeep continued on the highway and eventually pulled over to the right shoulder prior to exit 10 in Darien, state police noted, adding that the location of the Jeep was confirmed by dispatch personnel using CT Department of Transportation traffic cameras.

A man was seen getting out of the Jeep, opening the driver's side door and reaching inside, state police said.

Another car pulled over and a man got out and was talking to Arciuolo as troopers began to arrive, state police said.

A witness told police they saw Arciuolo hit the driver of the Jeep, and that the driver was visibly bleeding, state police said.

The witness added that after the Jeep pulled over, Arciuolo briefly walked away and the driver of the Jeep locked the doors before Arciuolo tried to open them again, state police said.

An uninjured child was located in the backseat, state police added. The driver and child were taken to an area hospital.

Arciuolo told police that an argument had occurred with the driver before the Jeep pulled over.

"When asked, the operator of the Jeep alleged that the accused male passenger had caused their injuries by intentionally striking them in the face. During the investigation, troopers determined that the circumstances met the legal criteria for domestic violence," state police said in a news release.

State police thanked the public for being alert.

"Thanks to fellow motorists who took action by immediately reporting their observations to 911. State police were able to quickly respond and reduce the risk of serious injury to the victims and other members of the public."