Big Island authorities charged a 54-year-old Puna man yesterday with first-degree attempted murder and other offenses for an apparent road rage incident Wednesday.

Police said David Dean Woodward of Hawaiian Paradise Park was driving on Makuu Drive in a BMW sedan when he apparently became upset when a 47-year-old man driving a Chevrolet Equinox pulled out from a side road in front of him.

Woodward overtook the Chevy. The passenger in the Chevy, the driver’s 17-year-old son, threw something at the BMW, police said.

Woodward stopped his car in front of the Chevy, got out and confronted the driver and passenger, who remained in their vehicle, and threw coffee onto the teen, police said. Woodward got back in his car, made a U-turn and allegedly rammed his car into the driver’s side of the Chevrolet, forcing it off the roadway and into a guardrail, police said.

The collision occurred at about 7:49 a.m. Wednesday at Makuu Drive and Route 130 (Keaau/Pahoa Highway).

Several motorists reported the incident to police.

Woodward was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. The Chevy driver and his son were also injured but refused medical treatment.

Police arrested the teen on suspicion of criminal property damage, but he was released pending further investigation.

Woodward was charged yesterday with first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree criminal property damage, reckless driving and harassment. His bail was set at $350,750. He is in police custody at the East Hawaii Detention Center and is scheduled to appear in court Monday.