San Francisco park ranger reportedly stabbed by angry driver near SoMa

An on-duty park ranger was reportedly stabbed on the freeway...

While on duty, a San Francisco park ranger was reportedly stabbed on the freeway following his attempt to assist an infuriated driver early Sunday morning near SoMa.

Police told the Chronicle the ranger was in his marked Recreation and Park Department vehicle, on his way to the Embarcadero from Patricia's Green in Hayes Valley. He reportedly noticed the man screaming at other drivers on the 7th Street off-ramp at 7:04 a.m., prompting him to pursue the suspect’s vehicle onto the freeway. Not long after, the car smashed into the center divider of the connector ramp.

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The ranger — who police say was unarmed — then exited his vehicle to provide assistance to the suspect. It was then he allegedly lunged toward the ranger with the knife and stabbed him.

Bystanders aided the ranger and detained the suspect, who was later arrested by police. The ranger was reportedly treated and released on the scene, while the suspect was transferred to a hospital with undisclosed injuries. Neither of their names have been released, but police said the ranger was 30 and had been in his position for five months.

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Traffic lanes were closed.

SFGATE reached out to the San Francisco Police Department for additional comment and did not hear back by time of publication.

Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfchronicle.com | Twitter: @byabartlett