Long Island man attacks 60-year-old driver with a knife and bites him in road rage incident.

A Long Island man was apprehended following a violent road rage incident in Huntington on Tuesday afternoon, which resulted in serious injuries to another driver. The altercation took place around 3:45 p.m. on West Neck Road near Old Hickory Lane, after a Jeep Cherokee and a Mercedes cargo van collided during an attempted lane change.

The driver of the Jeep, identified as 26-year-old Jayson Heitner, allegedly approached the 60-year-old van driver armed with a box cutter. Eyewitness reports suggest that Heitner attacked the victim, inflicting multiple cuts to the face and body while also biting his fingers during a physical confrontation. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was subsequently transported to a local hospital where he received treatment for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Heitner has been charged with second-degree assault in connection with the incident. During a court appearance on Wednesday, he claimed that he acted in self-defense, asserting that the van driver had initially brandished a knife. His attorney has indicated plans for Heitner to provide testimony to a grand jury, expressing confidence that his client will be exonerated of the charges.

Bail for Heitner has been set at ,000. Reports indicate that he is a graduate student at Touro College and serves as a first responder, raising questions about the impact of the incident on his professional responsibilities and future.

In a related incident reported the same day in Suffolk County, a passenger in a separate vehicle allegedly brandished what appeared to be a weapon at another driver in Shirley. Witnesses noted the vehicle associated with the confrontation sped away before authorities could arrive. There have been no arrests in that case, and details regarding the type of weapon involved remain unclear.

Suffolk County police are urging anyone with additional information regarding either incident to reach out to the Second Squad at 631-854-8252. The string of violent encounters highlights the escalating tensions among drivers and the need for increased awareness and de-escalation efforts on the road. As incidents of road rage continue to emerge, discussions surrounding safety, legal implications, and preventive measures are becoming more pressing within the community.

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