By Eve Nowell 
A 61-year-old Charlotte man is accused of following a woman for several miles before attacking her with a metal baton after a road rage dispute in Matthews, North Carolina, police said.
The assault happened around 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, near Chesney Glen Drive in Matthews, a town southeast of Charlotte. Matthews police reported that officers responded to the scene and spoke with the victim, who said an unknown man had trailed her vehicle for several miles following a verbal altercation on the road. According to investigators, when the woman parked and exited her car, the man approached, shattered one of her vehicle’s windows using a long, hard object, and then struck her multiple times in the head, neck and arm before fleeing the area.
Police launched an investigation that led to the identification of the suspect as James Frederick Washer of Charlotte. Authorities said Washer was taken into custody Monday. During the investigation, officers executed a search warrant on the suspect’s vehicle and reported finding a collapsible baton matching the description provided by the victim.
Washer has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and injury to personal property, according to police. The damaged vehicle window was documented as part of the case. Authorities emphasized that the attack stemmed from a dispute between drivers and escalated after the suspect chose to pursue the victim rather than disengage.
Matthews police advised drivers to call 911 immediately and continue driving if they believe they are being followed, allowing dispatchers to provide instructions until officers can intervene.
Washer remains in custody as the case proceeds through the legal system, police said.
Source
Shawn Henry