HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — An Arnold man is facing several charges for his alleged involvement in a road-rage confrontation Monday in Harrison Township.
According to police, the alleged victim, 60-year-old Michael Lattanzio, said he was driving on Route 28 South just before 4 p.m. when he encountered 42-year-old Michael Waugaman.
Lattanzio told police that Waugaman was driving in the left lane, below the posted 65 mph speed limit. He went on to say that he beeped his horn at Waugaman when he refused to move to the right lane to allow Lattanzio to pass.
“He was in the passing lane going rather slowly, so I tapped my horn to get him to pull over,” Lattanzio said.
According to police paperwork, Lattanzio told officers that he eventually passed Waugaman’s car on the right, and the two exchanged obscene gestures.
Lattanzio said Waugaman then moved over to the right lane and followed him for a few miles.
“I could see him in my rearview mirror approaching, and I just sensed something was wrong,” Lattanzio said.
According to Lattanzio, after a few miles, Waugaman pulled next to him in the left lane, and pointed a pistol at him. Lattanzio said he immediately called 911.
“I ducked, as a natural instinct, and he laughed,” Lattanzio said.
Lattanzio told Channel 11’s Timyka Artist that he was “scared to death” and he thought he was going to be shot.
A New Kensington police officer was able to locate Waugaman’s car and stopped him near the parking lot of Buffalo Bill’s Roadhouse.
“It’s scary. You go out of your house and now you’re looking around,” Lattanzio said.
Waugaman was charged with terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and several traffic violations, police said.
“It’s made me think. Next time I will blow a kiss instead of flipping the bird,” Lattanzio said.