Police say 'road rage' driver struck officer with car

The Boston Globe ^ | 6/25/2003 | Elizabeth Boch

[tdadams]

The sound of a woman screaming yesterday morning made Mark Mezzandri drop tools onto the roof where he was working in Weymouth. But then he realized that the woman, apparently furious about an accident on Route 18 that blocked her way, was shouting expletives at a police officer.

Officer Steven Shalno later reported that the woman told him: ''I don't care who [expletive] died. I'm more important.'' It didn't end there. The driver, later identified by police as 25-year-old software engineer Anna Gitlin, was pulled over by police at a gas station at the intersection of Route 18 and Middle Street. Mezzandri said she rolled down her window, but instead of complying with Shalno's request for her license and registration, she shifted the car into gear and started to drive. And when Shalno tried to grab the car, Gitlin closed the window on his hand, according to Weymouth police.

Mezzandri said he watched as the woman then put down the window to release the officer, made a U-turn onto the street, then edged her Toyota Corolla forward while the officer was standing in front of it.

She waited through a red light, and the incident seemed to be over. But when the light changed, the car struck Shalno, throwing him onto the hood of the Corolla, police said. Shalno was taken to the hospital with leg injuries. Gitlin, of Weymouth, was charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

[IYAS9YAS]

''I don't care who [expletive] died. I'm more important.''

That pretty much sums up all road rage cases.

[bedolido]

''If somebody is in front of a car and you want to kill them, you don't inch the car forward,''

It amazes me how some people think they can walk over authority and not pay the consequences. I hope they thorw the book at her and do NOT accept a plea.

[camle]

why they call 'em MASSholes

[TommyDale]

This fits the profile of most Massachusetts drivers. What's the big deal? If you don't believe me, just try to merge into traffic there -- it's like a game to them to prevent anyone else from getting on the highway.

[wysiwyg]

''I don't care who [expletive] died. I'm more important.''

She must be a Dimocrat.

[Servant of the Nine]

The driver, later identified by police as 25-year-old software engineer Anna Gitlin ...

I wonder if she is signed up for an Internet Dating Service?
What a blind date for someone else.

So9

[Cael]

Well, she's probably one of the rare females in her software company, and being a computer engineer myself, I can see how she might have a "everybody worships me" complex

[Cael]

I'd agree that the attempted murder of an officer charge is a little too much. She DID open the window so he could pull his arm out. :)

[Bikers4Bush]

That and they don't seem to think that red lights apply to them.

I found that out a few years ago while attempting to drive in Boston. Total maniacs.

[HEY4QDEMS]

From zero to bitch in 3 seconds.

[Lazamataz]

Officer Steven Shalno later reported that the woman told him: ''I don't care who [expletive] died. I'm more important.'' It didn't end there. The driver, later identified by police as 25-year-old software engineer Anna Gitlin

More proof that software engineers are evil.

Betchya she doesn't make her deliverable date.

[Lazamataz]

Well, she's probably one of the rare females in her software company, and being a computer engineer myself, I can see how she might have a "everybody worships me" complex

Nonsense. Two of the twelve people on our development team are females, and we plan to let them go shortl......

.........oh yeah. I see your point.

[bedolido]

From zero to bitch in 3 seconds.

Great line... I'll never use it though... been married long enough to know when to keep my mouth shut...lol

[Maceman]

Why are the pretty ones always nuts?

BTW, the Boston Herald says she's married. I pity the fool.