Nov 21, 2013 2 min read

A Brownsville man has been charged by state police from Troop T in connection with a road rage incident Saturday on the Mon-Fayette Expressway near the toll booth in California.

Richard S. Thomas, 60, of 201 Jefferson Pike, is accused of deliberately ramming a vehicle driven by a Cranberry Township woman.

The woman told police she had entered the southbound toll road from Interstate 70 east. Police said the ramp becomes a fourth lane leading to the toll booth at the California interchange.

Thomas was driving south in the third lane. Police said both lanes end at the toll booth.

Thomas told police he believed the other driver should have yielded to his vehicle as they approached the toll booth. When she did not yield, he drove in front of her vehicle.

Police said Thomas paid the toll and then made an obscene gesture to the other driver. Since the other driver’s vehicle had EZ Pass, she drove through the booth and then passed Thomas’ pickup truck on the left before pulling in front of him.

Thomas then reportedly pulled into the left lane before deliberately hitting her vehicle three times, police said. There is no indication whether the woman or her two passengers were injured.

Thomas is charged with three counts of simple assault and reckless endangerment and one count each of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, careless driving, reckless driving and following too closely. Charges will be sent by summons from the office of District Judge Joshua Kanalis.