An angry driver attacked an elderly man apparently because of a traffic disagreement in Albert Lea Wednesday, police said.

Thursday, February 08, 2001

An angry driver attacked an elderly man apparently because of a traffic disagreement in Albert Lea Wednesday, police said.

The attack happened around 2 p.m. at the intersection of Front Street and First Avenue. A man driving a blue pickup truck was headed west on Front, according to witnesses. He reportedly signaled to turn right on First when a truck driven by 75-year-old Harold Tolbers, of Albert Lea, began to turn left from southbound First onto eastbound Front, pulling in front of the other truck, witnesses said.

&uot;I heard the horn honking,&uot; said an eyewitness.

While pulling through the intersection, Tolbers saw the other driver waving his arms as if to flag him down, he told police. He stopped, and the driver got out of his truck and approached Tolbers. The man opened the driver’s side door and punched Tolbers in the face, police said.

&uot;The younger guy spazzed out,&uot; said a second witness.

The attacker went back to his car and drove away while Tolbers’ vehicle remained in the street. Tolbers eventually pulled back onto First Avenue to wait for police to arrive.

Ron Freeman of Albert Lea went to Tolbers’ aid after the incident.

&uot;He was bleeding from the nose and mouth,&uot; Freeman said.

Tolber was treated at Albert Lea Medical Center and released.

Neither eyewitness would give their name for publication.

&uot;If there’s someone out there attacking people, I don’t want them to know my name,&uot; one of the witnesses said.

The assailant was described as a 40 to 50 years old, tall and lanky with long, light brown hair and a beard. The back of his truck was loaded with items, as if he were moving, the witnesses said.