Suspect charged after allegedly threatening man with baseball bat in erratic driving incident

A 42-year-old man has been charged after police said he threatened a bystander following a dispute with a female passenger.

Officers were called to Buchanan Boulevard and Fairlane Street around 4 p.m. Wednesday, after receiving a report of an assault with a weapon involving an erratic driver.

Through speaking with the 32-year-old victim, police said they discovered a 42-year-old man had been driving erratically during a dispute with a woman in the car. Police said the woman then got out of the car near the intersection.

Police said the bystander stopped to check on the woman’s well-being. They alleged the driver then swung a baseball bat at the victim and threatened to kill him.

The victim wasn’t injured in the attack, police said.

Officers said they found the driver and his vehicle shortly thereafter. The suspect was arrested and allegedly found to be impaired by drugs or alcohol. He also had his licence suspended.

Steve Byrne, 42, was charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and operating a vehicle while impaired.

He was released on an undertaking. The charges haven’t been tested in court.