Road Rage In Brookfield: New Milford Man Charged, State Police Say

BROOKFIELD, CT — A New Milford man is facing multiple assault and motor vehicle charges following what appears to have been a road rage incident in Brookfield, state police said.

On Dec. 7 at around 11:44 a.m., state police from Troop A in Southbury responded to a report of a collision on southbound Route 7 near Exit 11 in Brookfield.

Upon arrival, troopers spoke with a 78-year-old man who said that while traveling in the right lane of southbound Route 7, he attempted to change to the left lane. At that moment, a BMW 330x suddenly accelerated, blocking his attempt to merge, according to his report to troopers.

The victim told troopers that after the BMW passed, he safely changed lanes to the left, only for the BMW's driver to abruptly slam on the brakes and come to a stop in the left lane. In response, the victim swerved into the right lane to avoid a collision. The BMW then veered into the right lane and onto the shoulder, cutting in front of the victim and sideswiping the passenger side of his vehicle, according to the report.

After his car was hit, the victim pulled over to the right shoulder, while the BMW spun across the left lane and into the grassy median. The BMW then re-entered the highway and rammed into the rear of the victim's vehicle in the right shoulder, according to the victim's report.

The BMW driver then left his car to punch the victim in the face, before grabbing his cellphone and slamming it to the ground and fleeing the scene, the victim told troopers, according to state police. He reported minor injuries, but declined medical treatment, according to the police report.

Another witness reported that when the BMW spun into the grassy median and the driver regained control to re-enter the highway, large amounts of grass, dirt and debris were kicked up, striking the front end of their vehicle, according to state police. Witnesses also provided Troop A Dispatch with the BMW's registration, and the state police issued an alert to surrounding towns to be on the lookout for the suspect's car.

New Milford police officers responded to the New Milford address of the registered owner of the BMW and positively identified the suspect as Jason Paul Maisonave, state police said.

Troopers charged Jason Paul Maisonave, 55, with reckless driving, evading responsibility with physical injury, failure to drive upon the right side of the road, improper acceleration while being passed, failure to drive in proper lane, first-degree criminal mischief, third-degree assault of an elderly victim, and second-degree reckless endangerment. Maisonave was released on a $100,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled to appear at Danbury Superior Court on Dec. 19.