NORTH SMITHFIELD – North Smithfield police arrested two men this month after a case of road-rage that ended when one driver pepper-sprayed the other while both were stopped on Greenville Road.
Both drivers were arrested, and Joseph Jordan, 23 of North Smithfield was charged with simple assault, erratic driving and disorderly conduct. Cameron Seales, 44, of Providence, was also charged with reckless driving and disorderly conduct following the incident on Saturday, May 1.
Witnesses, who called police, said they first saw Seales traveling on Providence Pike in a Honda Accord at a high rate of speed, swerving in and out of traffic. The two reporting parties told officers that Seales almost hit a utility pole, and then narrowly avoided a head-on collision with Jordan’s SUV at the intersection of Providence Pike and Greenville Road.
After the near collision, they said Jordan turned around his car, a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, and followed Seales south along Greenville Road. Both were then seen driving erratically, racing down the road, and weaving in and out of traffic, according to reports.
The men reportedly stopped their vehicles in the roadway, and Jordan pepper-sprayed Seales before driving off.
After Jordan was located and detained, he told police that Seales had stepped out of his vehicle and headed toward him, and that he used the pepper-spray because he feared for his safety, a statement disputed in accounts by both his victim and witnesses.
Seales indicated he wished to press charges, and was later transported to Landmark Medical Center to treat his eyes, which were burning and swelling, according to police. Seales has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for June 24.
Jordan was given a 3rd District Court summons and is scheduled to appear July 22.
