Mahwah Driver Chased Man Through Town In Road Rage Incident: Cops

MAHWAH, NJ — A township man chased a driver on borough streets and took out a baseball bat during a road rage incident Thursday, police said.

Officers responded to a motor vehicle accident at Airmont Avenue and Bellgrove Drive shortly after 3 p.m. and found an assault in progress, said Chief James Batelli.

An investigation determined that David Ruffman was traveling north on East Crescent Avenue in Upper Saddle River when another driver merged from Lake Street and allegedly cut Ruffman off, Batelli said.

Ruffman became "extremely angered," passed the vehicle and stopped in the middle of the road to confront the driver, the chief said.

The drivers got into an argument and Ruffman got a baseball bat out from his trunk and walked back to the other car; the other driver fled the area, struck the side of Ruffman's vehicle and knocked him to the ground, Batelli said.

Ruffman drove after the man, chased him through the town, cut him off and crashed into his vehicle, forcing him onto the side of the road. Ruffman again exited the vehicle with the baseball bat, Batelli said.

The other driver, "fearing for his life," hit Ruffman and threw the bat to the ground. That's when Mahwah police officers arrived on scene, the chief said.

Ruffman was charged with aggravated assault and reckless driving. He was released on his own recognizance pending a future court appearance. Upper Saddle River police are conducting an investigation.

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Photo: David Ruffman, of Mahwah/Mahwah Police Department