Emirati charged in road rage attack

DUBAI // A 24-year-old Emirati soldier faced charges this morning that he punched another driver in a road-rage incident fueled by a traffic jam.

The suspect, EJ, is charged with assaulting AA, a 32-year-old Jordanian clerk, breaking three teeth and leaving him with a two per cent disability.

According to records, EJ was driving his Land Cruiser behind the victim's car on Emirates Road, headed towards Ajman, on the morning of July 13, 2010.

Prosecutors said he was speeding and when he reached the victim's car, which was stopped because of traffic, he started flashing his lights. AA, however, could not give way because there was nowhere to go, according to records.

AA told prosecutors he could not change lanes or move faster. So after EJ flashed his car's lights several times, he parked on the side of the road and waved for AA to stop.

He then stepped out of his car, walked to AA and punched him in the face, records said. The forensic report confirmed AA lost three front teeth.

The next hearing was scheduled for March 7 to summon EJ, who did not appear in court today.

salamir@thenational.ae