Incident of road rage leads to arrest and multiple charges for an individual from Gananoque

Release Date: January 9, 2024

24-853

On January 8, 2024, an incident of road rage occurred in Kingston’s west end. The victim had been driving northbound on Centennial Drive near Kingsdale Avenue when they were cut off by another vehicle which abruptly stopped in the middle of the road, nearly incurring a collision. The victim honked their horn at the accused to indicate their displeasure with the other driver’s actions.

The two vehicles proceeded on to the intersection of Centennial Drive and Taylor Kidd Boulevard and, while stopped at a red light, both the accused and the victim rolled down their windows and engaged in a conversation. The victim indicated that the accused had nearly caused a collision and that his manner of driving was dangerous. The accused retorted with vulgarities requesting that the victim pull over to the side of the road and that they would be assaulted.

The accused then followed the victim westbound on Taylor Kidd Boulevard making hand gestures for the victim to pull their vehicle over. The victim while driving rolled down their window to speak with the accused at which time the accused threw a cup of a coffee like substance through the window of the vehicle. The liquid struck the victim as well as the interior of their vehicle.

The two proceeded to turn north onto Bexley Gate where both vehicles came to a stop. The accused exited their vehicle and approached the victim, who had remained in their vehicle, with a snowbrush in hand threatening that the victim was about to be assaulted. The victim proceeded to call police and the accused left the scene.

Police quickly responded and located the accused and their vehicle nearby. The accused was promptly arrested at approximately 11:35 a.m. and then transported to police headquarters where they were later released on conditions with a future court date.

A 52-year-old local individual from Gananoque was charged with two counts of assault with a weapon and uttering threats to cause bodily harm.

***

Recognizing an aggressive driver may help you avoid becoming a victim of a road rage incident. Aggressive drivers are known to cut off other vehicles, tailgate, speed, run red lights, and make careless lane changes. Be aware of obscene gestures, verbal assaults, and threats made by aggressive drivers.

Avoid engaging other drivers, even if they have done something to make you angry or you have made them angry. Put as much distance between you and the other driver as possible. Try not to make eye contact with them. Never, ever pull off the roadway to confront them. This could lead to an escalation in tensions and ultimately a physical confrontation. Avoid creating a competitive situation with another driver, even if they are at fault. Try not to take another person's bad driving personally. Road rage is a lose/lose situation that could result in a motor vehicle collision and/or physical injury to yourself or others on Kingston’s roadways.