NSW tourist recalls terrifying road rage attack in Byron Bay

A tourist has described the alleged moment her windshield was repeatedly punched in and smashed during a terrifying Byron Bay road rage ordeal. Her only protection – a packet of soy sauce.

A tourist has described the alleged moment her windshield was repeatedly punched in and smashed during a terrifying Byron Bay road rage ordeal. Her only protection – a packet of soy sauce.

Argentinian national and freelance photographer Chiara Sofia, 26, said she was “parked in her car and minding my own business” when a man allegedly reversed a car towards her and blocked her at about 12.30pm on Wednesday.

Ms Sofia said she asked the man - who has not been identified by police - to “politely” move forward before she alleges he “became full-on aggressive, throwing insults left, right and centre”.

“We ended up having a bit of a heated argument - I’ll admit, I took it up a notch by tossing some soy sauce his way,” she said.

Ms Sofia said she managed to dart back inside her car as a woman known to the male driver tried to pry open her driver’s door.

Ms Sofia’s car sustained a smashed windshield. Luckily, no one was injured in the incident, police say. Picture: Facebook / Supplied.

“Meanwhile, the bloke goes all out, relentlessly pounding on my front glass until it shatters,” Ms Sofia said.

Ms Sofia claimed the pair were “dangerous” and said she had immediately contacted NSW Police.

Chiara Sofia, victim of alleged road rage attack in Byron Bay. Picture: Supplied.

NSW Police issued a statement confirming an investigation was underway.

“Officers from Tweed Byron Police District have commenced an investigation into an alleged malicious damage of a vehicle occupied by a 26-year-old woman by another motorist in a carpark,” a spokeswoman said.

“Neither parties are believed to be known to one another and there were no reports of any person being injured.”

The alleged offender of a Byron Bay road rage incident. Picture: Facebook / Supplied (blurred).

“Police are urging anyone who may have any knowledge of the incident to contact police.”

In a video shared with News Corp, the alleged offender’s ute had QLD number plates.

While Ms Sofia says she made light of the “soy sauce situation”, she said the incident had left her “traumatised and afraid”.

“Since being in Byron Bay I’ve been treated by the community in the most beautiful way. So this is a real shame,” she said.

“It has left me stressed, traumatised and afraid.”

Ms Sofia said she was also “out of pocket” due to repair costs on the car, which is owned by a friend.

Originally published as NSW tourist recalls terrifying road rage attack in Byron Bay