A man accused of causing a car accident and subsequently assaulting a Port Authority police officer, is now facing charges for aggravated assault on a police officer, assault by auto, resisting arrest, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in bodily injury.

According to Joe Pentangelo, a spokesperson for the Port Authority Police Department, 56-year-old Princeton resident Scott Parsons was arrested on the George Washington Bridge on Sunday, August 24^th after allegedly causing an accident at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Parsons, who was driving a pickup truck at the time, reportedly crashed into a Chrysler containing two young girls before exiting his vehicle, climbing atop the other car, and kicking it. The cause of the incident remains unknown; however, law enforcement officials say that Parsons was extremely agitated when they arrived on the scene. In fact, he also is accused of attempting to climb over the barrier and assaulting one of the arresting officers, kicking and biting him while resisting his arrest.

Although no serious injuries occurred as a result of the accident and the alleged incident that followed, Parsons, the officer, and the two girls who were passengers in the Chrysler received medical treatment. Parsons is now charged with a number of significant criminal offenses, with multiple felony-level charges against him.

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b, aggravated assault offenses can be classified as second, third, or fourth degree crimes, depending on the degree of injury sustained by the alleged victim, the identity of said victim, and the presence of a weapon during the commission of the alleged offense. Notably, what would typically constitute a simple assault charge, which is considered a lesser offense in New Jersey and involves less severe penalties, can be elevated to aggravated assault when the alleged victim is a law enforcement officer.

Charges for assault by auto (vehicular assault), the details of which are provided in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(c), are also indictable felonies under New Jersey law. The degree of these charges are contingent upon the details of the alleged events, including the intent of the driver charged with causing the collision, the nature of the injuries sustained by the victim, and if the driver was intoxicated, driving recklessly, or attempting to elude police before the alleged incident occurred.

For more information regarding this case, access the following article: Road-rage driver jumps on hood after crash, bites cop on GWB, police say