Witnesses Describe Brutal Beating In Meadowbrook Parkway Road Rage Incident
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The victim of a road rage assault on a Long Island parkway has broken bones in his face and jaw, police say he was beaten unconscious.
The suspect, with his baby son in the car, was said to be upset at the driver's speed and forced the victim to stop in the left lane.
The red car involved in the alleged road rage crime was parked in front of the suspect's Uniondale home, on Monday.
The baby car seat belonging to his 2-year-old son was visible in the vehicle.
Distraught witnesses who called 911 as they drove north on the Meadowbrook Parkway in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, claimed they saw the red car's driver, Rouson Hinton, weaving and speeding with his toddler son strapped in back, apparently unhappy that another car was moving too slowly.
State Police said Hinton blocked the driver's path, forced him to stop in the left lane, and approached the victim hurling punches.
"Teeth also broken, and jaw, and these bones fractured," Abdul Shiek, a relative of the victim said.
Relatives of the 27-year-old Baldwin victim said he was behind the wheel of a white Nissan pickup truck when he was accosted.
"Not allowing the Nissan to pull away, the operator was in the driver's seat, window open, attempting to apologize when Mr. Hinton got out of his vehicle and punched him numerous times," said Major Joseph Tripodo of New York State Police Commander Troop L.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim was "struck with a closed fist" until he was unconscious.
He was hospitalized with a fractured, jaw, nose, and cheekbone.
In court the suspect's family denied that their son fled the scene. Their lawyer believes he was the victim.
Supporters challenged the sequence of events.
"Full time worker, a father, he loves his son, and absolutely a phenomenal family at that," the suspect's cousin Rashad cousin said.
The victim remained in the hospital Monday, and was being interviewed by investigators. He hopes to soon be release to recover at home.
The suspect was being held on $25,000 bond, he pleaded not guilty.
