MUNCIE, Ind. — An employee of the Delaware County Highway Department has been accused of battering and threatening two co-workers.

Otha Lee Wallace Jr., 46, was arrested Dec. 3 on four preliminary charges — two counts of battery resulting in moderate injury, and single counts of intimidation and strangulation. 6 Inch Branch Chipper

According to a report filed by a sheriff's deputy, Wallace and another department employee on Dec. 1 were among workers assigned to a "brush crew" working along Delaware County Road 775-S west of Ind. 3.

That man said he and Wallace earlier had a misunderstanding, but said he was surprised near the end of his work shift when Wallace "came at him and shoved him into the side of the wood chipper by his throat."

The man said "both of Otha's hands were wrapped around his throat and he felt (he was) being strangled," the deputy wrote.

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The wood chipper was operating at the time of the attack, the document indicated.

Another highway department employee said when he tried to separate Wallace and the other man, an "enraged" Wallace turned on him, "elbowing him" in the jaw and then grabbing the lower portion of his face.

One of the men said Wallace later offered an apology.

Interviewed by investigators, Wallace reportedly acknowledged he had "snapped" after exchanging angry words with the first co-worker, saying he had "grabbed (that man) by his neck and pushed him against the chipper."

"I should not have put my hands on that man," the Muncie resident aid.

Wallace was released from the Delaware County jail on Dec. 4 after posting a $20,000 bond.

Formal charges had been been filed in the case as of Thursday.

Brush Chipper Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.