Semi Driver On Rampage Caused 8 Crashes, Tried To Strangle Other Driver On I-57: State Police

CHICAGO — A 25-year-old New Jersey man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with an alleged road rage incident that turned violent earlier this week.

Illinois State Police on April 28 received reports of multiple crashes on I-57 northbound starting at 127th Street. A semi truck was reportedly being driven recklessly, resulting in eight separate crashes, state police said Thursday.

After the last crash near Halsted Street, the driver of the semi—identified as Hassan A. Moutassim, of Jersey City, NJ—stopped the truck and exited. He then reportedly "physically removed" a driver from one of the crashed vehicles and then began battering them, including an attempt to strangle them, state police said.

Officers arrived on scene and took Moutassim into custody.

The victim was transported to an area hospital with injuries.

On April 29, Moutassim was charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery on a public way, and aggravated battery-strangulation.​

He is being held pending his first court appearance.

If you are the victim of road rage or believe a driver is following or harassing you, call 911 and/or go to the nearest police department to report it. ​