A Medford man was arrested on Monday after he allegedly slashed the face of a Somerville pedestrian, possibly with a box cutter, during a traffic altercation on New Year’s Eve.

At 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, the victim and his friends left The Pub in Ball Square and were standing in the street near Kelly’s Diner when they say they were nearly hit by a passing car. One member of the group then either swiped at the passing car or was struck by the car’s mirror, causing the driver to pull over and run toward them.

As he approached, the driver’s girlfriend allegedly yelled, “Watch out my boyfriend is crazy." The victim told police he saw the driver coming at him with a closed fist. He was struck in the face twice, but did not realize he had been cut until he saw blood. 

The investigating officer, reported that the injuries “consisted of a gash, about four inches long, starting at his temple and going down his right check. Another, deeper stab wound, starts in the middle of his right cheek and ends near his top lip.”

According to the Emergency Medical Technicians who transported the victim to Mass General Hospital, the laceration appeared to have been caused by something extremely sharp, possibly a razor, stated the police report. A second victim, told police the suspect also tried to “slice” his stomach.

On Monday, Jan. 3, the suspect was apprehended via a traffic stop on Cross St. (near Flint St.), based on the description of the car and the suspect and a partial license plate. A box cutter was recovered from the vehicle and is being tested to determine if it was the weapon.

Rosario Marino, 22, of 41 Edward St., Medford, was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, and the more serious charge of mayhem.

State law describes mayhem as the “malicious intent to maim or disfigure." The crime carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison.