Road rage incident underscores need to stay safe, calm, say police

Scene of Tuesday's road rage incident on Milton Road. (Lebanon Voice/Harrison Thorp photo)

ROCHESTER - A road rage incident occurred Tuesday afternoon at the entrance to Market Basket on Milton Road, underscoring the need for motorists to stay calm and courteous during what can be a stressful holiday season, police say.

"We would recommend that motorists drive cautiously and courteously, giving other vehicles the proper amount of space," Rochester Police Capt. Gary Boudreau said today.

Luckily no one was hurt or cited in the incident, which occurred when two pickup trucks collided in the southbound lane of Route 125.

Boudreau said police dispatch records and reports show that the two vehicles were stopped for a red light while headed south and in the main lane of traffic, with a Ford Ranger in front of a Dodge Ram.

When the light turned green, the operator of the Dodge Ram - identified as Laurie Ryan of Gloucester, Mass. - said she decided to turn right into Market Basket from the main travel lane and the Ranger moved to the right, too, when the vehicles collided.

Meanwhile, the person in the Ranger - identified as Richard Teeter of East Rochester - said he continued straight into Rochester and was rear-ended on the right side by Ryan.

An eyewitness who saw the confrontation called the incident into police, who responded within eight minutes, but by the time the officer got there, the eyewitness had left.

Faced with conflicting stories and no witness statements, the officer at the scene decided against filing charges or even handing out a citation, leaving everyone to go their own way, Boudreau said.

Damage to the vehicles was seen as minimal.

Boudreau advised the public to never retaliate or intervene in a road rage incident, but to always stay out of harm's way and call the police.

"Never take it into your own hands," Boudreau said. "We recommend you dial 911 and let us handle it."