Rider slashed in road rage

By Tania Martin
A MONBULK motorcyclist is recovering after becoming a victim of a bizarre case of road rage last week. His leg was cut open after a car with a jagged piece of metal sticking from its side rubbed up against him. Police are now appealing for witnesses.
The driver of a black Holden Commodore with personalised plates, a 37-year-old Monbulk man, was seen driving erratically through the hills just after 4.30pm, on Thursday 19 March.
Monbulk’s Sergeant Alan Fincher said the driver’s actions were not directed at any one person but at all road users.
He said the incident started in Tecoma and lasted all the way to Monbulk. One witness even saw the driver going through the roundabout in Belgrave sideways.
Sgt Fincher said the driver had also somehow damaged the left-hand side of his vehicle. “The car had some jagged metal sticking out the left side and a motorcyclist was cut with the metal,” Sgt Fincher said. He said the driver was seen doing burn-outs, tailgating people and generally creating havoc on the roads. He was later apprehended at his home in Monbulk.
Sgt Fincher said the man had to be subdued with capsicum spray before being taken to the Maroondah Hospital for a psychiatric assessment. He was later released and interviewed by police.
Sgt Fincher said police were now calling for witnesses to come forward. They should contact police on 9756 6266.