A motorist seeking to file charges against two other drivers - a man and his son - was himself charged for his role in a road rage incident at a traffic light in Port Byron, the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office said.

After James Pardee Jr., of 7895 State St., Port Byron, went to the sheriff's office to press harassment charges against John F. Bouck, of Rockefeller Road, Auburn, and his son, David Bouck, on Aug. 3, deputies determined there was enough evidence from their investigation to file a misdemeanor reckless driving charge against Pardee, deputies said.

The charges against Pardee came in part from a sworn statement that he gave to the investigating officer as he pressed charges against the Boucks, deputies said.

Pardee is accused of speeding up and slowing down in an attempt to prevent the elder Bouck from passing him as they traveled north on Route 38, deputies said. The younger Bouck was following his father in a separate vehicle.

Pardee told police that John Bouck threatened to smack him after both Boucks exited their vehicles when the three vehicles came to a red light in Port Byron, deputies said.

All three men have denied any wrongdoing.

Lt. Michael J. Wellauer said that while the incident has become a “he said, she said” argument, the sheriff's office investigation determined that both parties appear to have been at fault.

The Boucks were both issued appearance tickets for Port Byron's village court.

The two men could receive up to $250 in fines and 15 days in jail if they are convicted of the violations, while Pardee could potentially receive as much as $1,000 in fines and up to one year in jail if convicted of a misdemeanor.