A man accused of stabbing a driver in Watertown, Massachusetts Confronting driving rage undergoing a psychiatric evaluation

A Massachusetts man accused of stabbing a tow truck driver during a chaotic clash on the road that began when the driver allegedly struck and killed the suspect's mother with her vehicle clashed with a judge Thursday.

In the Waltham District Court, 38-year-old Philip Horner was arrested without bail and subjected to a psychiatric assessment at Bridgewater State Hospital, on the recommendation of a psychologist who was concerned about mental health issues after the accident. Wednesday's incident. A plea of ​​not guilty was entered on behalf of Horner.

Mr. Horner is charged with assault with intent to commit murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and to resist arrest for stabbing a tow truck driver accused of hitting his mother in Watertown.

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office said the police responded to a call Wednesday around 11:20 am for an ongoing raging incident on Watertown Street after a woman in her sixties was hit by a tow truck.

The woman, later identified as Benita Horner, was declared dead on the scene.

Immediately after the accident, the authorities stated that Philip Horner had engaged in an altercation with the driver of the tow truck, stabbing him five times in the torso. In a police report, the driver was Thomas Fogerty, 60 years old.

Fogerty is currently in critical condition in a Boston hospital.

In court, the psychologist said that Horner had suicidal thoughts, had trouble speaking, and was seriously depressed. Horner also banged his head against a wall in custody on Wednesday night.

According to a police report, when police arrived at the intersection of Watertown Street and California Street, Horner was screaming:

Moe Taha, who owns nearby Jana Grill, said the driver had run inside his restaurant for help.

"The driver was running for his life," said Taha. "I brought water and I brought rags. Yes, a lot of rags, because they bleed a lot."

According to the police report, Horner was repeatedly sentenced to drop the knife. Two officers were able to put him under arrest while he was fighting.

Fogerty's Towing, the company owning the flatbed wrecker, said they knew about the incident and were concerned about their driver.

NBC10 Boston has been talking to one of Benita Horner's neighbors, who said she was concerned about her son's mental health.

"She just said that he does not get the help he needs.In the end, she always said," It takes time, it takes time "", said Anna Pizzuto.

Horner's appearance is scheduled for October 10, after his psychiatric assessment.