What began as a verbal exchange between two drivers in Matthews, North Carolina, allegedly turned violent miles down the road, after the confrontation followed one of them to where she’d parked.
What Police Say Happened
According to Matthews police, the incident started with a road rage dispute and escalated when the man allegedly trailed the woman’s vehicle for several miles afterward. Officers say that once she parked and got out of her car near Chesney Glen Drive around 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, the man approached, shattered one of her vehicle’s windows with a long, hard object, and struck her multiple times in the head, neck, and arm before fleeing the scene.
How Investigators Identified the Suspect
Police identified the suspect as James Frederick Washer, 61, of Charlotte, and took him into custody two days later, on Monday. During the arrest, officers executed a search warrant on Washer’s vehicle and reported finding a collapsible baton matching the victim’s description of the object used in the attack — physical evidence that became central to building the case against him.
The Charges
Washer has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and injury to personal property, tied to the damaged vehicle window documented as part of the investigation. He remains in custody as the case proceeds through the legal system. As with any pending criminal case, these charges represent allegations at this stage, and Washer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
What to Do If You Think You’re Being Followed
Matthews police used the case to reiterate standard guidance for drivers who suspect they’re being followed after a road confrontation: call 911 immediately and keep driving rather than stopping, allowing dispatchers to guide you until officers can respond. It’s a reminder that de-escalation, not confrontation, is generally the safest response once a dispute on the road follows you past the point where it should have ended.