Police Charge Beaver County Man in Road Rage Assault

Sewickley police say a driver who lost his temper on Route 65 recently assaulted a motorist while the victim's daughter and 2-year-old granddaughter watched. 

Police charged David Colaizzi, 41, of Independence Township, Beaver County, with simple assault, disorderly conduct, reckless driving and harassment following the Nov. 25 road rage incident.

Police were called shortly after 1 p.m. to the 300 block of Route 65 after Robert Hagen, 56 of Coraopolis, reported being assaulted by a man in a white pickup. Hagen told police he was traveling southbound toward the Sewickley Bridge when the pickup suddenly pulled in front of him and slammed on its breaks between Walnut Street and River Road. Police said the driver, later identified as Colaizzi, ran up to Hagen’s vehicle, began yelling profanities at him, then began punching Hagen in the face through his open car window.

Police said Hagen got out of the car and yelled for Colaizzi to stop because he had his 2-year-old granddaughter in the back seat. But police said the assault didn't stop there.

Police said Colaizzi grabbed Hagen by the neck and began choking him, punched him in the face a couple more times and attempted to slam his head off the car before driving away over the Sewickley Bridge, police said. Police said Hagen told officers he never threw a punch because he was shielding his face during the ordeal. Police said his daughter, who was in the front passenger seat the entire time, and another motorist collaborated the same story. Hagen refused an ambulance, but said he would go to the hospital to have his injuries checked out, police said.

Hagen was able to get a partial license plate that police traced back to Colaizzi. On Nov. 26, police spoke with Colaizzi, who admitted to being involved, police said.

Colaizzi told police he was attempting to get into the right lane to go over the bridge, but that Hagen refused to let him merge. Colaizzi told police Hagen gave him the middle finger and began yelling at him. Colaizzi said when he got out of his vehicle, Hagen threw the first punch so he began to fight back.

Police said Colaizzi was told that witnesses never saw Hagen throw a punch, and that he would be charged.