Ethnic intimidation charges were filed against a Lansdale man earlier this month in connection with a road rage incident that occurred on East Main Street in November 2021.
Joseph Ingersoll, 39, has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of ethnic intimidation, two misdemeanor counts of harassment and several related summary charges in connection with the Nov. 28, 2021, incident.
Police were dispatched to a business along the 700 block of East Main Street at 12:18 p.m. for a report of a road rage incident, according to the criminal complaint. Upon arrival, police spoke with a Black female victim who stated she was driving with her 8-year-old daughter in the car near the intersection with Lakeview Drive when the vehicle behind her — driven by Ingersoll — began following closely and driving erratically, the report states.
The victim told police that she could see Ingersoll shouting profanities and flipping her the middle finger in her rearview mirror, and when Ingersoll drove past her, he allegedly called her a “f---ing n----r,” according to the complaint. When the victim pulled over to call police, she said Ingersoll turned around, drove to the parking lot and continued to hurl racial slurs at her, police said.
While officers were speaking to the victim, police were able to locate Ingersoll’s vehicle and initiate a traffic stop, the report states. Ingersoll allegedly admitted to tailgating the victim, but he denied exchanging any words with the victim. Investigators would later receive an audio copy of the victim’s 9-1-1 call, in which Ingersoll can be heard yelling and calling the victim a “n----r.” police said.
As a result of the investigation, Ingersoll was charged on March 8. Court records show the charges were filed via summons, meaning Ingersoll has not been processed at this time and there is no mugshot or booking image available.
A preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Ed Levine has been scheduled for May 18 at 2 p.m.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
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