WATERTOWN (WBZ-AM) -- Authorities have charged a man with the stabbing of a tow truck driver after they say that driver hit and killed his mother in Watertown on Wednesday.
Massachusetts State Police and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan say that Phillip Horner, 38, was charged with armed assault with intent to murder.
Ryan told reporters that Watertown Police got a call around 11:20 Wednesday reporting a road rage incident. A woman, now identified as Benita Horner, 60, of belmont had been struck by a flatbed tow truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Phillip Horner, the victim's son then got into an altercation with the tow truck driver. Ryan said the driver was stabbed about five times in the torso. He was taken to a Boston hospital in critical condition.
He was arraigned in Waltham District Court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty. An Attorney representing Horner told the court that their client was confused, depressed and suicidal.
A Judge ordered to be held without bail at Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Horner is slated to appear again in court on October 10.
Witnesses told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Shari Small that the driver kept telling the man, "I did not see her, I didn't mean to hit her."
The suspect was placed under arrest, and was also taken to a hospital. Ryan said that man would not make an appearance in court Wednesday.
The identities of those involved have not yet been released, as the DA's office is still contacting next of kin.
Ryan said it's still early in the investigation, and authorities are still trying to piece the events together.
"As you can see, this is a very active scene," Ryan said. "We're going to be here for a number of hours. Obviously it's going to impact traffic in this area."
Watertown Police said the intersection was closed as authorities investigate. They asked pedestrians and drivers to avoid the area.
"This was a bad scene over here for both the people in the public and for our officers," said Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn. "I just want to let everyone know it is a safe area right now. The person is in custody and everyone is safe."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports