Washington Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth is facing a simple assault charge after an alleged road rage incident in Reston.
The incident occurred at about 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, said Officer Shelley Broderick, a Fairfax police spokeswoman. A 38-year-old man driving a Honda Civic thought a man driving a pickup truck on the Fairfax County Parkway was tailgating, and made a “non-verbal hand gesture,” Broderick said.
The driver of the Civic stopped at a red light at New Dominion Parkway, and the pickup truck driver — allegedly Haynesworth — got out of his vehicle, Broderick said. She said the two exchanged words, and Haynesworth allegedly assaulted the Civic driver, who stayed in his vehicle.
She didn’t provide further details about the assault, but said the driver of the Civic drove himself to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries to the upper body.
“This is the first we’re hearing about this,” said Tony Wyllie, Redskins director of communications. “We’re going to gather all the information.”
Haynesworth’s agent said the allegations are false.
“Albert has yet to speak to the authorities at all on this matter,” agent Chad Speck said. “So only one side of this story has been told at this point in time. If contacted by the authorities, Albert will certainly cooperate in any way. … Albert did not assault this man and looks forward to his day in court to refute these ridiculous allegations.”
Broderick said police have obtained a simple assault warrant. Haynesworth is out of town and expected to turn himself in next week to face the charge.
Staff writer John Keim contributed to this report.
