A former star Jim Thorpe High School football player who was involved in a road rage incident in which he was accused of assaulting another man was placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program for first-time offenders on Monday by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Ryan R. Saunders II, 18, of Penn Forest Township, was charged by Lehighton police for an incident on Dec. 18, 2013. Police alleged that a road rage incident occurred 4 miles north in Jim Thorpe involving Saunders and Kirt D. Adams, 57, of Nesquehoning.Adams, police said, followed Saunders to a Lehighton home. Police alleged that Saunders had assaulted Adams during the incident.After Saunders was arrested, police later charged Adams for his part in the incident. Also involved in the incident was a 16-year-old male.The original incident occurred at Broadway and Susquehanna streets in Jim Thorpe. The incident continued onto Mansion House Hill. After that confrontation, Adams followed Saunders to 327 N. Second St. in Lehighton, where borough police were called.On Monday, Nanovic said he had reservations concerning the placement of Saunders in the program. He said, however, after speaking with District Attorney Jean Engler and defense counsel Paul Levy, he would place Saunders in the program.Levy said the victim in the incident, Adams, was "100 percent" in favor of the ARD placement. Levy said consideration was given to Saunders because a criminal conviction could have affected any scholarships he received.Engler told the court that the victim and arresting officer, Matthew M. Arner of Lehighton, both agreed to the ARD placement.Nanovic told Saunders he was getting a "substantial break" by the state but said he thought it was an appropriate disposition.If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program, their record will be wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it, or are revoked from it, they will then face trial on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.Nanovic placed Saunders in the program for two years and ordered he pay an assessment of $450 for the cost of the program, render 100 hours of community service, and make restitution to be determined by the adult probation office.