An entrance sign to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey’s largest military facility, is seen in this undated photo. (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst)
(Tribune News Service) — Two U.S. Army Reservists thwarted a 45-year-old man who tried to carjack another motorist after he crashed Thursday morning in Waterford Township, N.J., and attacked a passing motorist, officials said.
The bizarre incident unfolded at about 8:30 a.m. when Rondean D. McDonald drove off Jackson Road and into the woods near the corner of Waverly Avenue, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office said.
He then ripped open the locked driver’s side door of a woman passing by in another vehicle and attacked her, the prosector’s office said. McDonald then demanded she drive him out of the area, officials said.
McDonald also tried to strangle the 59-year-old woman before two men driving by who are U.S. Army Reservists at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst came to her rescue, authorities said.
One of the men used a fire extinguisher to break a window to her vehicle and remove her. Other Good Samaritans then called 911 and restrained McDonald.
McDonald is charged with carjacking, kidnapping, aggravated assault and criminal mischief.
The woman is in stable condition at an area hospital being treated for her injuries.
One of the U.S. Army reserves is also a Philadelphia police officer.
An attorney is not listed in court records for McDonald.
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