Toms River Road Rage Nightmare: Driver Accused of Brandishing Handgun in Terrifying Confrontation

A routine drive on Route 37 East in Toms River took a terrifying turn on June 10, 2024, transforming into a chilling scene of road rage that culminated in a driver allegedly pulling a handgun on another motorist. Authorities have since apprehended the suspect, 24-year-old Matthew R. Leith of Brick Township, bringing a measure of justice to the alarming incident.

The harrowing events unfolded around 1:50 PM, near the bustling exit for the Garden State Parkway North.

According to reports from the Toms River Police Department, Leith's vehicle, a 2020 blue Hyundai Sonata, was involved in an aggressive maneuver, reportedly cutting off another car in a dangerously abrupt fashion. What followed escalated the situation from mere aggressive driving to a direct threat.

Eyewitness accounts and the victim's statement detail that Leith, not content with the initial aggressive driving, allegedly brought his vehicle to a complete halt directly in the travel lane.

This sudden and deliberate stop created an immediate and perilous obstruction, forcing the victim's vehicle to also stop abruptly.

The situation then spiraled into a nightmare scenario. Leith is accused of exiting his Hyundai Sonata, confronting the other driver. It was at this moment that, according to police, he brandished a black handgun.

The victim reported that Leith pointed the firearm directly at them, an act that undoubtedly instilled profound fear and left a lasting impression of terror.

Following this menacing display, Leith quickly re-entered his vehicle and fled the scene, leaving the shaken victim to report the incident to the Toms River Police Department.

The severity of the alleged crime prompted an immediate and thorough investigation.

Detective Ryan Fitzgerald of the Toms River Police Department took the lead on the case. Through meticulous investigative work, including reviewing available evidence and witness statements, Detective Fitzgerald was able to identify Matthew R.

Leith as the alleged assailant. The detective's diligent efforts culminated in an arrest warrant for Leith.

Just over a week after the incident, on June 18, 2024, law enforcement officers located and apprehended Leith at his residence in Brick Township. During the arrest, the blue Hyundai Sonata allegedly used in the road rage incident was seized as evidence, a crucial component in the ongoing legal proceedings.

Matthew R.

Leith now faces a battery of serious charges stemming from the confrontation. These include Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, a grave offense that carries significant penalties. He has also been charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, reflecting the alleged misuse and unauthorized carrying of the firearm.

Following his arrest, Leith was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is currently being held.

He awaits a mandatory detention hearing, during which a judge will determine whether he will remain incarcerated pending trial. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of road rage and the severe legal consequences for those who escalate such encounters into acts of violence and intimidation.