Ax-Wielding Driver Stabbed, Police Say

An ax-wielding man was stabbed early Monday by another man after their cars collided in North Hills and they resorted to scuffling to settle their differences, Los Angeles police said.

Michael Francis Niblack, 34, of Reseda, was arrested Monday afternoon, more than 12 hours after the incident, on charges of suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, said Lt. Kyle Jackson of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division. He said Niblack was arrested at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where he was in stable condition with a stab wound to the abdomen.

Niblack was to be transferred to County Jail as soon as doctors considered him well enough to be moved, Jackson said.

Jackson said police are withholding the second man’s identity because he is under investigation and may also be charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

The fight began shortly after midnight outside a hamburger stand in the 15700 block of Roscoe Boulevard, Jackson said. After the collision, which was described as minor, the drivers allegedly faced off. Jackson said Niblack began using his ax to strike the other car and the other man on the left arm.

Jackson said the man under attack then stabbed Niblack with a knife.

Niblack reportedly shouted, “We’re even now,” and tried to get back into his car but was prevented from doing so by the other man, Jackson said. Niblack then ran away, Jackson said.

The second motorist received lacerations to his left arm, was treated at Northridge Hospital Medical Center and released, Jackson said.