Road Rage: Driver Allegedly Rams Car Behind Him in Morning Rush Hour

In a possible case of suburban road rage, a Cedar Grove man allegedly accelerated in reverse and rammed a Verona resident’s car during a morning rush hour accident on Pompton Avenue.

According to police, while traveling on Pompton Avenue on Tuesday, March 10, Christopher Cuffari, 48, reportedly “accelerated his vehicle in reverse and struck a second vehicle, attempting to cause bodily injury to the other operator.”

The crash caused “significant damage” to the vehicle, including a crumpled hood and a broken grille, stated police.

Although the operator of the second vehicle - a 64-year-old Verona man - complained of neck, shoulder and arm pain, he declined medical treatment.

Cuffari was uninjured, police added.

According to Cedar Grove Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet, the Verona man told police that he was driving northbound on Pompton Avenue in heavy traffic, when the vehicle in front of him stopped in the roadway, put his car into reverse and rammed into him.

According to police, the Verona man’s account of the incident was supported by a witness on the scene.

Cuffari was charged with aggravated assault, improper backing, reckless driving and operating a vehicle exhibiting a suspended NJ registration. He was processed at police headquarters and released pending a March 19, 2015 Superior Court Arraignment in Newark.