A Temple City man accused of carrying out a Feb. 6 road rage attack on the Ventura (134) Freeway that was caught on video was charged Tuesday with assault with a deadly weapon and other crimes.
Dikran Gligoriu, 35, pleaded not guilty to one felony count each of assault with a deadly weapon — a car — and child abuse, along with one misdemeanor count each of battery and reckless driving on a highway.
Prosecutors allege Gligoriu was traveling westbound in the left lane of the 134 Freeway near Glendale Boulevard — with three children in his car — when he suddenly stopped, causing the drivers behind him to slam on their brakes to avoid a collision.
Gligoriu then allegedly got out of his car and began attacking the driver of the sedan behind him. California Highway Patrol officer who responded said the other motorist was “seriously shaken” by the altercation, but escaped physical injury.
Video that aired on several local television stations showed the driver of a black Infiniti trying to overtake a silver Volkswagen Jetta before the Infiniti’s driver slammed on his brakes, jumped out and began attacking the driver of the Jetta before running back to his car and driving away.
The CHP announced Feb. 11 that it had identified Gligoriu as the “irate driver.” The video was shot by a person in a vehicle traveling behind the Infiniti and Jetta, who told a reporter he thought the two vehicles were going to collide.
A date is scheduled to be set July 18 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require Gligoriu to stand trial. He could face a possible maximum sentence of more than seven years in state prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
—City News Service