Cops: Man Punched in Face in Road Rage Incident

A Clifton man punched another driver in the face during a road rage incident on Old Bloomfield Avenue in Pine Brook on Monday, police said.

Nain Gonzalez, 42, of Clifton, was charged with aggravated assault Monday after police said he punched a driver in the face through an open car window at a traffic light after the driver did not give him access into his lane of traffic.

said Gonzalez and the victim, a 24-year-old Lake Hiawatha man whose name was not released, were both driving on Old Bloomfield Avenue near Changebridge Road shortly before 3 p.m.

Gonzalez allegedly tried to access the victim's lane, unsuccessfully, police said. When both drivers were stopped at a red traffic signal, police said Gonzalez allegedly got out of his vehicle, walked up to the victim's vehicle and punched him in the face, injuring his lip.

The drivers drove away, police said, and the victim called police. Both cars were stopped on Interstate 80 East by State Police and Gonzalez was arrested. The victim was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson.

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