A 25-year-old Mastic man has been indicted after prosecutors say he stabbed a 71-year-old motorist in the neck during an alleged road rage confrontation in Mastic earlier this year.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Jeremiah Giraud was indicted on charges including two counts of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault stemming from the May 19th incident.
According to prosecutors, the confrontation began at approximately 9:07 a.m. when the victim stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Ditmas Avenue and Riviera Drive. Authorities allege Giraud was a passenger in a Nissan Murano that pulled up behind the victim's vehicle. After the Murano's driver allegedly honked, the victim honked back.
Investigators said the victim then made a U-turn while the Murano turned onto Riviera Drive before returning to Ditmas Avenue and honking again. Both men exited their vehicles and briefly interacted before Giraud allegedly stabbed the victim in the back of the neck with a knife.
Prosecutors allege Giraud reentered the Murano and fled the scene. The victim called 911 and was transported to NYU Langone Hospital in Patchogue, where he was treated for his injuries.
Law enforcement later arrested Giraud in Mastic. Authorities also recovered the knife allegedly used during the attack from the Nissan Murano.
"No one should fear for their life or safety because other motorists on our roadways act out of anger," Tierney said. "My office is committed to ensuring that those who resort to violence on our roads face serious consequences."
Giraud was arraigned June 25 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski, who ordered him held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, or a $500,000 partially secured bond. Giraud is scheduled to return to court July 20. If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to seven years in prison.