Wappingers Man Attacks Driver With Wood, Police Say

A Wappingers Falls man is facing multiple felonies following a road rage incident.

On Thursday, troopers were dispatched to Beekman Road for a report of a road rage incident, at approximately 7:00 p.m.

Investigation found that James A. Murphy, 40, of Wappingers, began tailgating the victim, and making obscene gestures for unknown reasons. Murphy then passed the victim in a no passing zone, and stopped his vehicle blocking traffic. Murphy exited his vehicle, and then menaced the victim with a piece of wood.

The victim attempted to film the incident, at which time Murphy broke the victim's phone. A good Samaritan confronted Murphy, who then fled the scene.

Murphy was charged with criminal possession of a weapon third-degree (felony), menacing first-degree (felony), and criminal mischief. Murphy was arraigned in the the Town of Beekman Court and remanded to Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 bond.

This investigation remains on-going, if anyone witnessed this incident or believes they were a victim of a crime committed by James Murphy in the past they are asked to please contact Investigator DuBois at Troop K Headquarters (845) 677-7300.

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