Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A road rage incident in Cheektowaga earlier this year has led to hate crime charges against a Lancaster man.
According to the Erie County District Attorney's Office, 35-year-old Justin Goodrich used racial slurs and profanity toward a driver back in May along Union and George Urban.
Prosecutors say the adult victim threw coins at Goodrich, then he exited his vehicle, reached through the open passenger side window of the victim’s vehicle and grabbed one of the children around the collar of their shirt, which caused damage to the clothing. He is also accused of attempting to cause physical injury to the child, who suffered a scratch on her neck.
Goodrich is also accused of continuing to shout racial epithets toward the victims during the commission of the crime.
After the incident, prosecutors say Goodrich went back into his vehicle and drove away. The adult victim, though, followed Goodrich to a residence on Laurentian Drive, where police say he continued to shout racial slurs.
Goodrich faces up to four years if convicted of charges of criminal mischief as a hate crime, and attempted assault as a hate crime.