Motorist nearly pushes trucker into traffic during post-brake-check confrontation

A motorist nearly pushed a truck driver into traffic during a roadside confrontation involving a knife in upstate New York on Monday. 

The incident happened at about 7:45 a.m. on Monday, April 6th on the New York State Thruway near Batavia, New York. 

According to ABC13, 47-year-old Jason Wendt stopped suddenly while in traffic on the Thruway, causing a tractor trailer to rear end his vehicle. When the truck driver got out to approach the motorist, Wendt “abruptly opened” the door and almost pushed the trucker into traffic. 

The two men then began fighting in the westbound lanes of the roadway. At some point during the fight, Wendt pulled a pocketknife and threatened the driver. 

Police arrived at the scene, determined that a road rage incident had occurred, and took Wendt into custody. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and assault.