Arlington man in court after alleged snow rage

MEDFORD, Mass. -- Roofs and tree limbs aren’t the only things feeling the stress from the amount of snow that has fallen on the Bay State this winter. An Arlington man went to court on Monday because he was accused of trying to run down a firefighter in a case of snow rage.

Leo Najarian was arraigned on Monday after he was accused of trying to run down a firefighter with his van. He and his lawyer said this is all a big misunderstanding. He said he actually felt threatened by the firefighters, but mainly his tempers were running short because of all the snow.

“I think it was just a question of misinterpretation and he had no intention to harm anyone,” said Joe Amoroso, Najarian’s lawyer.

Lawyers said Najarian became upset when he saw firefighters digging out hydrants and allegedly tossing snow onto the sidewalks that Najarian had previously shoveled.

“I’ve seen two or three other times they cover the sidewalk and I think that’s wrong,” said Najarian.

“He took it upon himself to question the manner and means of the removal of the snow by firefighters,” said Amoroso.

Police said then Najarian and the firefighters exchanged words. According to investigators Najarian eventually attempted to leave his home and drive away when he struck one of the firefighters with his car.

“The report is that I purposely hit him,” said Najarian. “That is completely untrue.”

“With a night’s sleep and reflection it was a big mistake on his behalf and he certainly would like to apologize and is making moves to apologize,” said Amoroso.

Najarian’s lawyer will figure out how he’s going to apologize, because as Najarian was leaving court the judge told him that he has to stay away from the fire department so long has it’s not an emergency and he has a direct stay-away order from the firefighter that was hit.

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