Venango County Man Charged in Violent Road Rage Incident to Be Sentenced on Thursday

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published September 16, 2020 4:30 am
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VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) — A Utica man accused in a violent road rage incident is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday.

Court documents indicate 58-year-old Tracy L. Laufer is scheduled to stand for sentencing by Judge Robert L. Boyer at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, on the following charges:

– Criminal Mischief — Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)

Läufer pleaded guilty to the above charges on March 2.

As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:

– Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
– Pass When Prohibited, Summary
– Reckless Driving, Summary

He is currently free on $20,000.00 unsecured bail.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Frenchcreek Township in early September.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, around 4:28 p.m. on September 11, Trooper Barnhill of the Franklin-based State Police was assigned to investigate a two-vehicle crash that occurred in the 2800 block of Raymilton Road in Frenchcreek Township.

Trooper Barnhill arrived at the scene, where he found that Tracy L Laufer was operating his vehicle when he encountered a slower moving vehicle. Laufer then attempted to pass the slower-moving vehicle in a no-passing zone that was uphill and around a curve.

The operator of the other vehicle honked his horn at Laufer, and Laufer allegedly changed lanes and cut off the other vehicle. Laufer then allegedly “brace-checked” the other driver by applying his vehicle’s brakes. The other driver was forced to take evasive action and attempted to avoid a collision by entering the other lane, but still struck Laufer’s vehicle.

According to the complaint, following the crash, Laufer exited his vehicle and struck the other driver several times on the head, face, and back with a closed fist.

The complaint notes both Laufer and the other driver were injured in the crash, and the other driver was further injured by Laufer’s assault. Both vehicles were also damaged in the crash.

Läufer was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland at 3:27 p.m. on October 28.

RELATED:

Road Rage: Venango Co. Man Accused of Punching Driver in Head Multiple Times

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