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Doctor Accused Of Attacking Young Boy On Ski Slope Appears In Court

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The doctor accused of attacking a young boy on a ski slope in New Jersey appeared before a judge on Wednesday.

Police describe the incident as ski rage. Dr. Samuel Caruthers appeared in Sussex County court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

The 44-year-old anesthesiologist from New Jersey is accused of punching the 12-year-old boy from Long Island in the face after the young snowboarder accidentally ran into him and his son.

"Mr. Caruthers was run into by the 12-year-old snowboarder. He then went ahead and committed an assault on him," Lt. Keith Kimkowki said, as reported by CBS2's Meg Baker.

The situation got even uglier from there.

"At some point he struck him with his ... the report was that he struck him with a ski pole," Kimkowki said.

The boy was left with a bloody lip and nose, in addition to stomach and rib pain.

Wednesday morning, Caruthers walked into court with his head down and refused to speak.

His lawyer previously put out a statement saying, "My client had no intention of causing any harm to this young man. It was more in the nature of an accident. My client is sorry for any misunderstanding."

CBS2 spoke to the boy's grandmother in Valley Stream. She said he was trying to apologize to the man and his son after losing control on a patch of ice and sliding into them.

At Caruther's home in Mountain Lakes, his wife refused to comment but told CBS2 her own 12-year-old son suffered a head injury and needed medical attention.

Police said Caruthers has been charged in the past with road rage. A crimincal conviction could affect Caruthers' medical license.

His next court date has not yet been set.

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