Rt. 248 Road Rage Led to Hammer Assault, Police say

Two men were hospitalized Friday after an alleged hammer attack in the Wal-Mart Tire & Lube Express parking lot. The alleged attack, according to Colonial Regional Police, was a case of road rage.

Ahmed Gospodev, 24, of Stroudsburg, was arraigned before on-duty District Judge David Tidd of Lower Saucon Township. He was charged with one count each of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and possessing instruments of crime, and two counts each of simple assault and harassment.

Gospodev posted 10 percent of $30,000 and was released from Northampton County Prison.

While driving along Route 248, according to police, Gospodev allegedly cut off a vehicle. The two vehicles entered the Northampton Crossings shopping center in Lower Nazareth Township and parked in the Tire & Lube Express lot.

Gospodev then got out of his vehicle, went to his trunk, and retrieved a hammer. Three men -- Gospodev and two others in the second vehicle -- began to argue, according to police.

The fight escalated into pushing, then Gospodev allegedly began swinging the hammer. He struck one of the men in the head, according to police, causing trauma and bleeding. The second man sustained a laceration to his face.

Both men were transported to a local hospital, which police did not identify, for treatment.