CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A man has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly rear-ending a couple driving on I-24 on Dec. 20.
According to an arrest warrant, the victims told police they were driving in the left lane on I-24 near the state line when a blue Chrysler 300 began tailgating them, then passed them and another vehicle on the right shoulder.
The couple said the Chrysler then crossed back in front of them and started brake-checking them. The driver said he slowed down to avoid the Chrysler, which reportedly swerved toward them multiple times.
The victims also said the suspect attempted to force them into a semi-truck before pulling behind them and deliberately rear-ending their vehicle.
The warrant says there was minor damage and blue paint transfer on the spare tire of the victims’ vehicle.
The victim provided police with the tag number and description of the suspect’s vehicle.
When police arrived at the home of the suspect, 33-year-old Joseph Amabile, they found a blue Chrysler 300 matching the description in the driveway. The car had damage on the front.
Amabile told police he had been “in control of his vehicle the entire evening” according to the warrant. He said the damage to the vehicle happened when he struck something as he exited the interstate, but “wasn’t sure what he hit.”
He also told police someone cut him off near Exit 8 but denied anything further occurred.
Amabile was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault. His bond was set at $25,000.