Christmas Lights May Have Sparked Road Rage That Left Man Hurt

MANORVILLE, NY — A road rage incident that sent a 74-year-old man to the hospital Monday may have been sparked by Christmas lights, reports said.

Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating the incident, which took place at 11:50 a.m. on Moriches-Middle Island Road in Manorville, Suffolk County Police said. The injured man was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Individuals at the scene reported that the man's 16-year-old grandson was also taken to the hospital after the incident, which they said involved three teens in a car, but police did not confirm that information; they also could not confirm that Christmas lights had anything to do with the altercation.

A report on News 12 said that John Blanco and his grandson Joe of Manorville were "driving slowly," looking at the holiday lights as they returned home; another driver began tailgating and honking, Joe said. John's wife Eileen said that when her husband intervened, he was badly beaten, with facial and brain injuries, the report said.

Stacey Sager of ABC7NY posted a photo of the injured man on Facebook Thursday, saying police were still investigating.