New Yorker's road rage earns him black eye, charges

Adam Duvernay
The News Journal

A Syracuse, New York, man got a black eye and a handful of charges after a road rage incident Sunday, according to Delaware State Police. 

Police say 39-year-old Jason Reed was following behind a 50-year-old Delmar man on Sussex Highway and "was becoming irritated that the car was traveling the speed limit in the left lane."

Around noon on Sunday, police say 39-year-old Jason Reed was following behind a 50-year-old Delmar man on Sussex Highway and "was becoming irritated that the car was traveling the speed limit in the left lane."

Reed was in a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country. His adversary was driving a 2015 Dodge Challenger.

Police say Reed entered the right lane and began passing the Challenger, then made an abrupt change back into the left lane striking the right front bumper of the car with the left side of the mini-van.  

Both cars stopped in the median, police say, but Reed left his car and confronted the driver of the Challenger, police said.

The 50-year-old, a disabled man, got out of his car with his cane. Police said Reed began an argument which turned physical and the two men began fighting in the median, which caused more damage to the Challenger when the two fell into the side of the car. 

"The 50-year-old victim was able to separate from the fight after taking a tactical advantage over Reed and forcing him to the ground prior to the troopers arrival. All the events took place while Reed's wife and two children were in his vehicle and were uninjured in the incident," read a DSP news release.   

The 50-year-old was slightly injured during the altercation, but did not require medical attention.

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Reed was transported to DSP Troop 5 in Bridgeville where he was charged with possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony (his vehicle); four counts of second-degree reckless endangering; third-degree assault; two counts of criminal mischief; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child; malicious mischief by motor vehicle; disorderly conduct; and failure to remain within a single lane.  

Reed was arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $40,350 secured bond.

Contact Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2785.