Man Swung Hatchet At Victim After Traffic Incident: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A traffic dispute escalated when a West Haven man is accused of swinging a hatchet at the victim, police said.

At 12:03 p.m. Saturday, police responded to the Redwood Flea Market (170 South Turnpike Road) for a fight in the roadway, police said.

While responding, officers learned the suspect was swinging a hatchet at other people, police added. Charles P. Smith, 33, of Second Avenue in West Haven was taken into custody, police said.

The first responding officer encountered Smith standing in the roadway, attempting to confront a victim with a hatchet in hand, police said. The officer immediately ordered Smith to drop the hatchet and to get on the ground, police said.

Smith dropped the hatchet but refused to listen to other commands, police said. The officer then placed Smith into handcuffs without incident, police said.

"Through the investigation, officers found that Smith was initially backing into the roadway on South Turnpike Road into oncoming traffic," police said in a news release. "A motorist beeped their horn at Smith as he was backing, which caused him to become irate. Smith then drove his car around the victim’s car, slammed on the brakes, exited his car, ran towards the victim and pulled the victim out of his car leading to a physical altercation."

Police added that "The victim was able to gain control of Smith to stop the fight. Smith then went into the trunk of his car and retrieved a hatchet and started to swing it at the victim. A secondary victim tried to disarm Smith, but could not, and Smith started to swing the hatchet at the secondary victim. Smith then drove off at a high rate of speed, only to return to try and re-engage with the victims. At this time, responding officers arrived and were able to arrest Smith."

"The Wallingford Police Department would like to urge citizens to use caution when navigating the roadways and to try to avoid any altercation at all costs," police said in a statement. "If you see someone committing multiple traffic violations, or trying to engage you or others in a road rage incident, it’s safer to call police and to let us handle it rather than trying to handle the situation on your own."

Smith is charged with third-degree assault, two counts of second-degree breach of peace, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, and illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.