A 40-year-old South Brunswick man was charged for multiple road rage incidents and several crashes.
Police say Mark Lauri caused a series of motor vehicle incidents and crashes over the past three months. Police determined the crashes were the result of intentional acts.
The first incident took place in November 2022. Police say Lauri was driving south on Route 1 near Finnegans Lane when he cut off another driver then he slammed on his brakes. This caused the victim to impact the rear of Lauri’s vehicle.
Two additional incidents took place hours apart on Feb. 3. Police say at 1:59 p.m., a driver on Route 1 called 911 to report a vehicle driving erratically and stopping suddenly in front of multiple vehicles. Police say Lauri was the vehicle the 911 caller was speaking of.
Police say at 3:12 p.m., officers responded to the Target parking lot to investigate a crash that took place on Route 1. An off-duty New Jersey State trooper was traveling on Route 1 and observed Lauri recklessly drive and cut off other motorists. Police say the trooper witnessed Lauri change lanes erratically and impacted another vehicle that was also headed north on Route 1.
Lauri also was involved in a road rage incident on Jan. 24 in Somerville.
Chief Raymond Hayducka said Lauri’s conduct put everyone at risk. “Last year alone there were nearly 2,000 crashes on roadways in the township. His erratic driving and repeated sudden stopping in front of other drivers just increases the potential for crashes,” Hayducka said.
Lauri was charged with endangering the welfare of others and criminal mischief. He was placed at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center as of Wednesday morning.