MERRILLVILLE | A 27-year-old Merrillville man has been accused of punching a Crown Point man in the face in an act of apparent road rage, police said Thursday.

Dirk Anthony Chandler has been charged with battery in Merrillville Town Court, Operations Cmdr. Lance Huish said.

The 21-year-old victim told police he was driving north on Merrillville Road near 93rd Avenue when the incident, his possibly cutting off the other car, happened, he said.

The incident was reported to police at around 3:35 p.m. Wednesday, he said.

Huish said the victim curbed his car in the 400 block of West 81st Avenue when Chandler, a passenger in a 2005 Chevrolet, jumped out and punched him in the face.

Huish said the victim did not seek medical assistance for his facial injuries.