LANCASTER, Pa. — A Lancaster man has been accused of assaulting another driver following a two-vehicle crash on the 100 block of Knollwood Drive in Manheim Township, police said Thursday.
Leandro Miguel Payano, 40, was charged with Simple Assault, Strangulation, Stalking, DUI- General Impairment, Altered, Forged Documents, Criminal Mischief, Possession of Marijuana, and Institutional Vandalism following his arrest on August 31, according to Manheim Township Police.
An officer responding to the report of an assault in progress located two vehicles that crashed in the center of an intersection. Payano was the driver of one of these vehicles, police said.
Payano appeared to be intoxicated, judging by his slurred speech, his inability to balance, and the smell of alcoholic beverages coming from his breath, according to police.
The victim was involved in a disturbance with Payano where he allegedly put his hands around their neck and struck them, causing a scratch on their nose, police claim.
The victim left the scene and was pursued by Payano in his vehicle.
It was reported that he was driving erratically. Payano struck the victim’s vehicle with his vehicle twice, police said.
After the crash, the victim entered Payano’s vehicle to remove the keys, due to a feeling that he was unsafe to drive. Payano allegedly placed his hands around their neck as they sat in the driver’s seat, impeding their breathing.
He also grabbed the victim’s phone, throwing it and causing it to crack, causing $500 in damage, police said.
Payano was arrested, and suspected marijuana was found in his pocket. While being processed, Payano allegedly intentionally flooded the bathroom of the cell he was in.
