Road rage attacker drives to police station after assaulting motorist

Wednesday, 8 February 2017

A man guilty of an assault in a road rage event handed himself into police.

A motorist who attacked a man in a road rage incident drove straight to the nearest police station to hand himself in, but it didn't help.

Craig Healey, a truck driver, was driving a Honda Odyssey on State Highway Two, near Clive, on November 25 last year when he became angered at another motorist's driving.

Healey, 36, followed the victim's black Nissan Skyline to a passing lane north of Clive. He overtook the car, slammed on his brakes and put his hand out a window to signal the driver to pull over.

The driver pulled over opposite Hohepa Homes and Healey pulled over in front of him.

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Healey got out of his car and approached the victim, who remained seated.

According to a police summary of facts Healey 'confronted him about his manner of driving'. Then he punched him in the mouth.

Healey got back in his car and drove to the Napier police station to hand himself in. He told police he was annoyed with the man's driving. He was charged with assault with intent to injure.

The victim sustained a broken front left tooth which was embedded in the roof of his mouth.

Healey appeared in Napier District Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty.

Healey's lawyer Alan Cressey said he was very apologetic and was paying $900 reparation toward the victim's dental bill.

Cressey said Healey worked six days a week so a sentence of community work would be difficult to complete.

Judge Bridget Mackintosh said the offending was serious and a sentence of community detention may be required. The matter was adjourned to later this month.