Doctor faces 'ski rage' charges in slope attack on 12-year-old

VERNON, N.J. -- Authorities say a doctor attacked a 12-year-old boy in a "ski rage" incident at a northern New Jersey resort.

Vernon police say 44-year-old Samuel Caruthers was skiing Sunday with his own child at Mountain Creek when the victim fell into them. Caruthers allegedly punched the boy in the mouth and hit him with the end of a ski pole.

The child suffered undisclosed injuries.

Caruthers was charged with aggravated assault and child endangerment.

His attorney, Robert Dunn, said in published reports that his client had no intention of harming the child. He says the anesthesiologist is sorry for any misunderstanding.

Caruthers, who lives in Mountain Lakes, was released pending a court appearance.