Man Charged In Route 1 Road Rage Incidents In South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – A 40-year-old South Brunswick resident was charged after intentionally causing a series of motor vehicle incidents and crashes over the past three months, police said

Mark Lauri was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of others and one count of criminal mischief.

The first incident took place on Nov. 3, 2022 when Lauri was driving south on Route 1 near Finnegans Lane. He became upset with another driver, and cut off the driver’s vehicle, then he slammed on his brakes, which caused the victim to impact the rear of Lauri’s vehicle, police said.

Two additional incidents took place hours apart on Feb. 3. At 1:59 p.m., a driver on Route 1 called 911 to report a vehicle driving erratically and stopping suddenly (brake checking) in front of multiple vehicles. Police determined that it was Lauri’s vehicle the 911 caller was speaking of.

At 3:12 p.m. the same day, officers responded to the Target parking lot to investigate a crash that took place on Route 1. An off-duty New Jersey State Trooper was traveling on Route 1 and observed Lauri recklessly drive and cut off other motorists, police said.

The trooper saw Lauri change lanes erratically and impact another vehicle that was also headed north on Route 1, police said.

According to investigation, Lauri had also been involved in a road rage incident on January 24 in Somerville.

Lauri’s actions created widespread risk and he was charged for his reckless conduct, police said.

He surrendered at police headquarters and was lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center as of Wednesday morning.

“Mr. Lauri’s conduct put everyone at risk. Last year alone there were nearly two thousand crashes on roadways in the Township,” Chief Raymond Hayducka said. “His erratic driving and repeated sudden stopping in front of other drivers just increases the potential for crashes.”

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