Wayne Michael Smith, 49, charged after off-duty police officer allegedly targeted in road rage incident at Catherine Hill Bay

Police allege a ute driver punched an off-duty police officer’s car several times before pushing him to the ground and injuring him, following a verbal stoush at a set of traffic lights.

A man has been charged over an alleged road rage incident involving an off-duty police officer on Montefiore Parkway, Catherine Hill Bay, on August 10, 2024. Picture: Google Maps

A man has been charged over an alleged road rage incident, where an off-duty cop was targeted and assaulted following a verbal stoush at a set of traffic lights.

Wayne Michael Smith, 49, remains in custody on remand after being charged over the weekend incident, which allegedly began with words exchanged and continued for about 2km.

Police allege the off-duty officer’s car was damaged before he was set upon and pushed to the ground.

In a statement, police said the officer was stopped at traffic lights on the Pacific Highway at Crangan Bay, in the southwestern corner of Lake Macquarie, about 5pm on Saturday when a ute pulled alongside him and the driver “allegedly engaged in a verbal altercation”.

Both drivers left the scene before the off-duty officer allegedly noticed the same car following him along Montefiore Parkway, at Catherine Hill Bay, before the ute overtook the cop and pulled over in a breakdown lane.

Wayne Michael Smith attended Belmont police station on Monday, when he was charged. Picture: Google Maps

Police allege the driver of the ute then punched the officer’s sedan several times as he travelled passed him, resulting in damage to the front passenger door.

They allege the cop stopped and identified himself as a police officer before the ute driver pushed him to the ground, injuring the officer’s elbows, before witnesses rang triple-0 as a further struggle continued.

Smith was not required to enter any pleas when he faced Belmont Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Google Street View

Police allege the ute driver then left the scene.

Lake Macquarie police began an investigation into the alleged assault of the Central Coast-based officer before Smith attended Belmont police station about 6.50pm on Monday.

He was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty causing actual bodily harm, destroying or damaging property, and breaching bail.

Smith faced Belmont Local Court on Tuesday, when his bail was revoked on unrelated charges including stalking and intimidation, entering a building or enclosed lands with intent to commit an indictable offence, and common assault.

Magistrate Stephen Olischlager refused Smith bail and the Central Coast man will reappear in court on August 24.