New Bethlehem Man Accused of Striking Victim, Brandishing Gun During Apparent Road Rage Incident

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published June 24, 2018 10:32 am
New Bethlehem Man Accused of Striking Victim, Brandishing Gun During Apparent Road Rage Incident

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT) — A New Bethlehem man is facing a list of charges stemming from an apparent road rage incident that took place in New Bethlehem on Wednesday evening.

Court documents indicate the New Bethlehem Police Department filed criminal charges against 40-year-old Earth Donato of New Bethlehem.

According to a criminal complaint, around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, Sergeant Nicole Peck received a complaint of an assault that occurred in New Bethlehem Borough.

Sergeant Peck was met at the department by a known man who stated that he was traveling down Liberty Street toward Broad Street and then made a left turn onto Broad Street, traveling north on State Route 28.

The victim said that as he was stopped at a red light a man came up to his work truck, standing at his front driver’s side door, and started hitting him through the window. He said the man kept stating that he had “cut him off” while grabbing at his neck and striking him.

The victim said he unbuckled his seatbelt, grabbed a pair of channel locks, and hit the man over the head. He then got back into his vehicle and traveled to a nearby parking lot, and the man followed him in a black Dodge truck. The victim then traveled north to a local business, and the man continued to follow him into the car wash.

The victim said the man then brandished a firearm at him and that he was in fear for his life.

The victim then drove to the New Bethlehem Police Department, with the man still following him.

The complaint states that Officer Clark then intervened. The man in the black Dodge truck was identified as Earth Donato.

Donato was transported to the Clarion Hospital Emergency Room for treatment of his injuries. He was then read his Miranda Warnings and agreed to speak with Sergeant Peck.

According to the complaint, Donato stated that “he had a bad day at work and overreacted during the incident.”

Based on the investigation, Donato was arraigned at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 22, in Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller’s office on the following charges:

– Terroristic Threats With Intent To Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
– Unlawful Restraint/ Serious Bodily Injury, Misdemeanor 1
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Stalking — Repeatedly Commit Acts To Cause Fear, Misdemeanor 1
– Disorderly Conduct Engage In Fighting, Misdemeanor 3
– Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
– Reckless Driving, Summary

He is currently free on $5,000.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31.

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