Witnesses said they saw the alleged assailant swerve in front of the victim’s car, forcing him to stop in Taieri Rd near Wakari Hospital, between Wakari Rd and Helensburgh Rd.
The man then stormed out of his car and began smashing the windscreen with his fist before forcing open the driver’s door and repeatedly hitting the victim.
He then fled the scene and remained at large yesterday evening.
Witnesses said the victim stumbled from his car, then collapsed as members of the public rushed to his aid, comforting him until an ambulance arrived.
A police spokeswoman said the alleged offender, known to police, was still at large and inquiries were continuing.
It appeared the victim tried to drive off before he was assaulted, the spokeswoman said.
What spurred the alleged assailant’s actions were unclear, she said. Dunedin man Mike Vince said he was driving past and stopped to run to the man’s aid as he lay on the road.
"As far as I know he’s smashed the front windscreen of the car, then just opened the door and just started hitting the man ... It’s just disgusting, absolutely disgusting — there’s no need for that."
A St John spokesman said the man was taken by ambulance to Dunedin Hospital’s emergency department with minor injuries.
