73-Year-Old Tewksbury Man Pleads Not Guilty To Road Rage Charges

LOWELL, MA -- The lawyer for a Tewksbury man facing charges following an alleged road rage incident in Billerica says his client was not drunk and only showed his legally-owned handgun when he felt threatened by three men involved in the incident. Roger Buonanno, 73, pleaded not guilty in Lowell District Court Tuesday to charges of third-offense operating under the influence, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

The Lowell Son, which first reported this story, said Buonanno was cut offwhile driving on Cambridge Street in Burlington around 4:30 pm on Saturday and followed the vehicle into Billerica and to a home on Library Avenue. While following the vehicle, Buonanno called police to report that the vehicle was driving erratically, his attorney, Steven Rappaport, said. He told police he was trying to get the vehicles license plate number, even though police told him repeatedly to not follow the vehicle.

In the driveway, Buonanno and one of the men allegedly displayed firearms. The other man will be summonsed as well, police said. Both men were licensed to carry firearms, and both men have had their guns confiscated by police. Rappaport maintains his client did not point the gun at anyone and only displayed it when he felt threatened. He also denies that his client was driving drunk.

For more on this story, see the Lowell Sun. Subscribe to Tewksbury Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Patch file photo.