A man from Schuylkill Haven is facing charges after an alleged road rage hatchet attack in Lehigh County earlier this month.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Fogelsville, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 around 5:20pm on Route 863 in Weisenberg Township, Lehigh County.
Troopers say the incident began when Robert Klipola, 47, of Schuylkill Haven was allegedly driving erratically and aggressively behind another vehicle.
At one point, Klipola was said to have driven into the opposing lane of travel and attempted to push the victim off the roadway and almost forced 2 other vehicles off the road.
The victim, a 28 year old man from Kempton, PA, pulled over to allow him to pass when Klipola stopped his vehicle blocking both lanes of traffic.
Klipola was said to have exited his vehicle with a hatchet.
The victim, fearing for his life, turned his vehicle around, and attempted to flee. Klipola struck the rear driver side of the victim's vehicle with the hatchet as he drove away.
The victim was reported to be on the phone with 911 and State Police Dispatch during the incident and relayed Klipola's license information.
State Police issued a warrant for his arrest and was later taken into custody and arraigned before a Magisterial District Judge on Monday, June 28th, 2021.
Klipola was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
He will face charges of criminal mischief involving damage of property, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person during a preliminary hearing that is scheduled for July 12th, 2021.