A Carbon County man was sentenced to a county prison term on Monday in a road rage incident.

Joseph Mongi, 29, of Lansford, was sentenced on six counts of recklessly endangering another person, and one count each of simple assault and persistent disorderly conduct to a total of four to one day less 24 months in prison followed by one year of probation.Mongi was convicted by a jury on Jan. 10 of the charges that were filed by Mahoning Township officer Christopher Ritter.The incident occurred on Oct. 23, 2012, along Route 902 about 8:35 p.m. Ritter charged that Mongi had been tailgating a vehicle operated by Beth Ann Newton, of Lehighton, as the two were southbound. Newton pulled off the road at a former used car lot to let Mongi pass.Newton testified at the trial that she was afraid for herself by the actions of Mongi.After Mongi had passed her, Newton pulled back onto the road to continue south. After a short distance she encountered Mongi a second time. Mongi had stopped his truck in the middle of the southbound lane.She stopped her vehicle, a Toyota, behind Mongi's truck. Mongi exited his truck and approached her and told her to get out of the vehicle. He was using curse words, Newton said, and she refused to get out.She then attempted to pull around Mongi's truck and in doing so, was involved in a crash with a northbound vehicle operated by Nicole Frendt, of Lehighton, which resulted in injuries to Frendt and passengers.It was also noted that Mongi had his young son in his truck with him.On Monday, defense attorney Andrew B. Zelonis said his client was remorseful for what happened."He did something he didn't intend to do," he said. "Something got out of hand."He asked Serfass to consider alternative sentencing than the jail term that was recommended by the adult probation office in a presentence investigation report it prepared.Mongi apologized for what happened to everyone involved."I understand my actions and demeanor caused this," he said. "I realize I have to be punished for what I did."Mongi also had a lot of support from family and friends. Several letters from friends and family were read into the record by Mongi's mother.Mongi's wife also asked the court for leniency stating she recently gave birth to their second son and that she had suffered health problems due to a difficult child birth.She said she is not working due to the health problems and needs her husband home to help with their two young sons and that they are having financial problems.Assistant District Attorney William E. McDonald, who prosecuted the case, said, "This is a case of pure road rage."He said he was concerned about the statements made by Mongi. He said all he heard from the defendant was how this has affected and will affect him and his family but not how it has affected the victims.He asked Serfass to impose a jail term higher than the minimum recommended in the probation report.Newton told Serfass, "My life has changed forever." She added, "I did nothing to him. I simply wanted him to leave me alone."She called Mongi dangerous and that he had not shown any remorse.Frendt and one of the passengers in her vehicle also spoke of the injuries they sustained and how the incident affected them.Serfass said he considered the adult probation report, all the testimony given from Mongi, his family, friends, and the victims and the commonwealth in deciding a proper sentence.He said the testimony presented on Mongi's behalf indicates he was a good husband, father, son and grandson.But he said there was another Mongi and that man appeared on the day of the incident. Serfass said he was very bothered by the fact that Mongi would put his young son in such danger.Serfass agreed with McDonald by saying, "This is a pure road rage incident."In addition to the jail term and probation period, Serfass ordered Mongi to make total restitution for damages and medical bills of $18,643.21; get a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment; attend and complete an anger management course; have no contact with any of the victims; render a total of 150 hours of community service when paroled; not possess during the length of the sentence any firearms; must relinquish his firearm permit; and pay court costs, which average about $1,000.Following the trial Serfass found Mongi guilty of a summary motor vehicle violation and a summary harassment count. He imposed a total of $600 in fines.Serfass permitted Mongi to begin the jail term on May 15 at 9 a.m. due to the health needs of his wife.