Attorney Claims 'Misunderstanding' After Doctor Is Accused Of Attacking Boy On Ski Slope

VERNON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- An attorney was defending a New Jersey doctor Wednesday, after police alleged the doctor attacked a 12-year-old boy on a ski slope.

As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, the doctor allegedly went into "ski rage" when the boy bumped into him and his son.

It can get a bit snarled as skiers and snowboarders of various skill levels compete for space, and on Valentine's Day at Mountain Creek in Vernon, New Jersey, it allegedly got downright ugly.

Dr. Samuel Caruthers, a Morris County anesthesiologist, is charged with assaulting a young snowboarder.

"Mr. Caruthers was run into by the 12-year-old snowboarder," said Vernon police Lt. Keith Kimkowki. "He then went ahead and committed an assault on him."

Vernon police were told it started as Caruthers went skiing with his own son. There was some kind of collision with the snowboarder, and then the alleged assault happened, police said.

Caruthers is accused of punching the boy in the mouth, and police alleged it got even worse from there.

"At some point he struck him with his - the report was that he struck him with a ski pole," Kimkowski said. "There were some visible signs of injury, some complaint of pain. He had some blood on his nose."

Caruthers, 44, was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

At his home in Mountain Lakes, Caruthers' wife refused to comment. But she told CBS2's Meg Baker that her own 12-year-old son was injured in the collision with the snowboarder and needed medical attention.

Caruthers' attorney put out a statement: "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."

A criminal conviction could affect Caruthers' medical license.

His attorney said, "We'll take whatever steps when they arise."