STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 36-year-old man was rushed to the hospital after he was taken into custody for allegedly brandishing a golf club and impersonating a police officer in a road-rage incident near the Staten Island Ferry terminal in St. George.

The suspect is believed to have feigned illness during the course of his arrest, said a source with knowledge of the investigation.

Melvin Smiley, 36, of Queens, lied as he claimed to be a police officer while wielding a golf club to menace a 54-year-old female civilian employee of the NYPD on Wednesday at about 6:30 a.m. at Bay Street and Richmond Terrace near the terminal, authorities allege.

The incident escalated from a minor fender bender involving Smiley's car and the 54-year-old woman's vehicle. Smiley was backing his car up when he hit the woman's vehicle. Words were exchanged and as the incident escalated, Smiley allegedly displayed a golf club and threatened, "I will f--k you up."

Fearing for her safety, the 54-year-old woman said, "I work for the New York City Police Department."

Smiley then allegedly responded, "I do, too. I'm a cop."

The suspect allegedly struck the woman's left hand and spat in her face, but she wasn't injured, according to police.

Smiley was charged by police with menacing, criminal impersonation, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment.