A Lehighton man was hospitalized with injuries from a road rage attack in West Penn Township last month.

The alleged assault occurred outside a home on Winter Mountain Road around 2 p.m. on April 21.

Franklin Sowers, 57, is charged with punching and kicking Richard Koch, 66, in the face and torso.

The incident began when both men were driving along Route 443. Koch told police he thought that a truck had hit his vehicle while passing him, so he followed until it stopped.

Sowers told police that a driver gave him the middle finger and followed his vehicle to his home, about 5 miles away.

Koch said that when the truck stopped at the residence on Winter Mountain Drive, he got out to take pictures with his phone. He said the truck driver, Sowers, then reversed and smashed into his vehicle. Sowers then got out and punched him in the face, and kicked him when he fell to the ground.

Sowers told police he ran into the vehicle on purpose. He said he believed that Koch was holding a gun. He said he punched and kicked Koch because he was angry, and Koch was calling him names.

A passenger in Sowers’ vehicle also said that Koch gave them the finger and followed them for about 5 miles. He said Sowers intentionally backed into Koch’s vehicle, and beat him up. The passenger said he and Sowers both initially mistook the phone for a gun.

Sowers was charged with aggravated assault and related charges. He was jailed and released on $25,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is set for May 17.

Koch has also been charged with trespassing and related charges. His preliminary hearing is set for May 25.