A Texas meteorologist narrowly missed the right corner of an irate motorist during a traffic altercation in which the man threw punches.
The disturbing dashcam clip shows Avery Tomasco, a meteorologist at CBS Austin News, being attacked by an unnamed assailant on a city highway.
Tomasco had just tried to merge onto one of the feeder roads that border Texas highways.
The assailant, driving a Toyota Prius, pulled into Tomasco’s lane ahead of him, leading to a turn in the fender after the weatherman failed to slow down.
Tomasco then stopped in a nearby parking lot to take pictures of his damaged vehicle when he was confronted by the Prius driver.T
The ensuing encounter was captured on Tomasco’s dash cam, which captured both men perfectly as the attack took place.
Video shows the moment a man lashed out at Texas meteorologist Avery Tomasco after a traffic altercation
“He said a sentence with an obscenity in it – ‘you hit my blank car.’ I said, “No, you hit my car.” Then he swung with all his might,” Tomasco said in an interview this week, revealing he is suing
“I screamed for help and got away from him as quickly as I could,” Tomasco recounted the attack, claiming he only got out of his car to take pictures of the damage to his own vehicle, before being accosted by the angry motorist.
“Luckily there was an off-duty police officer nearby to calm the situation and keep the peace,” he added, revealing that he is now filing charges against the man in the footage.
The meteorologist – who had his school-aged daughter in the car – was able to move his head enough for that attacker to deliver only a cursory blow.
Footage shows the motorist, an Asian man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, grazing Tomasco’s cheek with a vicious right hook – mostly absorbed by the weather expert’s shoulder.
Prior to the meeting, Tomasco – still in his car at this point – is seen trying to merge onto one of the feeder roads that border Texas’ highways. The other driver, in a Toyota Prius, drives into Tomasco’s lane in front of him, leading to a fender bender
After the collision, the Prius drives on as if nothing happened, prompting Tomasco to chase it to a nearby parking lot.
The ensuing encounter was captured on Tomasco’s dash cam, which captured both men perfectly
“It was a stupid blow,” Tomasco further recalled in a video interview with his employer CBS Austin, still visibly shaken by the ordeal.
“He said a sentence with an obscenity in it – ‘you hit my blank car.’ I said, “No, you hit my car.” And then he swung with all his might,” Avery recalled.
The footage – now used as evidence – showed the attack in full.
It contains no audio and shows the Prius driver approaching Tomasco – who started out as a meteorologist in the small town of Abilene in 2015 – before a brief altercation ensues.
Footage shows the motorist, an Asian man who appeared to be in his mid-30s, throwing a vicious right hook that was largely absorbed by the weatherman’s shoulder.
The meteorologist was able to move his head enough for the attacker to deliver only a cursory blow – but says he’s still pressing charges
“It was a stupid blow,” Tomasco further recalled in a video interview with his employer CBS Austin, still visibly shaken by the ordeal
Very quickly the altercation passes, as the other motorist loads the wayward punch.
Throughout the encounter, Tomasco kept his arms at his sides and stood peacefully.
In posts on Twitter after the encounter — and without disclosing the name of his attacker — Tomasco vowed to seek justice against the feisty motorist.
“Thanks to clear video evidence, I can file a report and he will soon receive an arrest warrant.”
He added about the potential suspect: ‘He will be taken to prison in the near future. His insurance will also have to fix my bumper and who knows what else.’
Tomasco started working as a meteorologist in the small town of Abilene in 2015 and has been reporting weather in the Lone Star State ever since
In posts on Twitter after the encounter — and without disclosing the name of his attacker — Tomasco vowed to seek justice against the feisty motorist
A family man with a wife and child, he said he was thankful he had a dashcam to record the encounter – and warned other motorists to use one too
He added of the potential, as-yet-unnamed suspect, “He will be taken to prison in the near future. His insurance will also have to fix my bumper and who knows what else’
On Twitter, Tomasco urged others to buy a dash cam, given the dangers of road rage, despite its severity.
“Ladies and gentlemen, BUY A DASHCAM,” urged the Emmy Award winner. “And use it religiously.”
More than a week later, Tomasco has yet to say whether there has been an arrest related to the incident. It is still unclear on Thursday whether a report has been filed.