Police: Man in Road Rage Incident Had 8-Month-Old Child in Car

A Hopatcong man driving with an 8-month-old child was involved in a road rage incident where he pursued and yelled at a woman, pushed a witness and cursed at a cop, police said.

Timothy Howell, 28, was charged with disorderly conduct and reckless driving.

According to Lt. Thomas Kmetz, the incident began when aa 22-year-old woman made a left turn out of a gym on Kings Highway in Landing at about 6 p.m. last Thursday.

The woman said she had enough time to make the turn but a vehicle on Kings Highway did not slow down and his attempt to pass her failed because he was between her vehicle and a bridge, according to Kmetz.

The driver of the other vehicle was later identified as Howell, who began yelling at the woman, Kmetz said. Howell yelled at the driver of another vehicle to get out of the way so he could confront the woman while they were stopped at a light near Pathmark, Kmetz said.

Howell then illegally passed the vehicle in front of him so he could get directly behind the woman's car as they passed Quick Chek, according to Kmetz.

A witness, who confirmed the woman's account of the incident, began following the two cars when he noticed Howell's behavior, according to Kmetz.

The woman called her father, who advised her to drive to the police station. As the woman was about to turn onto Elba Avenue, Howell pulled in front of her and she hit his vehicle, Kmetz said.

The witness got out of his vehicle when he saw Howell approach the woman, Kmetz said. The woman and Howell got into an argument and Howell pushed the witness when he tried to diffuse the issue, according to Kmetz.

Howell then cursed at an officer before being placed under arrest. He was transported to police headquarters where he was charged and released.