What to Know
- Exclusive video shows an SUV driving about 3 miles on the Mass. Turnpike with a man on the hood.
- The SUV driver, ID'd as Mark Fitzgerald, and the man on the hood, ID'd as Richard Kamrowski, appeared in court on Monday.
- Prosecutors said Fitzgerald has an out-of-state record with incidents ranging from OUI to assault to reckless endangerment.
A wild, caught-on-camera ride on the Mass. Turnpike ended with two men facing charges as they made an initial appearance in court for their apparent road rage confrontation.
An exclusive video obtained by NBC10 Boston showed an SUV driving a significant distance on the turnpike with a man on the hood. The vehicle traveled at speeds up to 70 mph for about two to three miles before another motorist stepped in and stopped the chaos at gunpoint, footage showed.
Thirty-seven-year-old Ashland resident Mark Fitzgerald and 65-year-old Framingham resident Richard Kamrowski faced a judge in Waltham District Court on charges stemming from the incident.
Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty, while a not guilty plea was entered on Kamrowski's behalf; Fitzgerald, who was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident, was ordered to be held on $500 bail. Kamrowski was released on personal recognizance on charges of disorderly conduct and malicious damage to a motor vehicle.
Prosecutors said a minor side-swipe crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 90 in Weston sparked the chaos on Friday.
Officials said Kamrowski stopped in the left lane to exchange documents with the other driver. However, Fitzgerald would not leave his car, according to prosecutors, and at one point, Kamrowski grabbed a metal water bottle from inside the SUV before standing in front of the car.
Fitzgerald then allegedly began to drive towards Kamrowski, who subsequently jumped on the hood of Fitzgerald’s car.
Fitzgerald's attorney said prosecutors' facts are a one-sided version of what happened. Fitzgerald was fearful after Kamrowski grabbed the metal water bottle and tried to smash his windshield, according to his attorney Michael Chinman, adding that he drove off because he was afraid of him, and that's when Kamrowski jumped onto his hood.
Several motorists attempted to put a halt to the alleged road rage confrontation. One driver, who police say is a properly licensed gun owner, left his car and ordered Fitzgerald out of his vehicle at gunpoint, putting an end to the wild ride.
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Prosecutors said Fitzgerald has a prior out-of-state record, with incidents ranging from a prior OUI to assault and reckless endangerment in Vermont and Connecticut. Chinman said these incidents happened over a decade ago, and that Fitzgerald has strong ties to the community in Massachusetts.
Authorities say the investigation into the apparent road rage incident is ongoing, and asks anyone who has information to contact state police at 781-431-5050.
