New York police have charged a truck driver after an alleged violent confrontation with a woman at a rest stop on the New York Thruway.
The incident began on the afternoon of Saturday, October 26, when 59 year old truck driver Michael E. Severin reportedly came close to sideswiping another semi truck on the New York Thruway, according to a news release from New York State Police.
As the second semi passed Severin’s truck, a woman sitting in the passenger seat said that she saw Severin talking on the phone and took a photo with her phone with plans to report Severin. The woman’s father was driving the second semi.
The woman and her father continued down the Thruway and parked at the Indian Castle rest area near Danube, 60 miles from where the close call with Severin had occurred.
New York State Police describe what happened next: “Moments later, Severin pulled his tractor trailer in sideways in front of their truck, blocking them in. The woman was outside of her truck and began recording Severin’s actions, when he used a crowbar to swing at her, causing her to drop her phone and retreat to her truck.”
Severin used the crowbar to smash the woman’s phone, police say. He allegedly retreated back to his truck and continued driving on the Thruway after a witness started yelling after witnessing the confrontation.
State police caught up with Severin about 40 miles from the rest area.
Severin was arrested and charged with second degree menacing and fourth degree criminal mischief. He is due back in court on November 18, 2019.
