VERNON -- A Morris County anesthesiologist charged in an apparent "ski rage incident" involving a 12-year-old boy at Mountain Creek ski resort pleaded not guilty Wednesday, New Jersey Herald reported.

Samuel G. Caruthers, 44, of Mountain Lakes, was charged last month with punching the boy in the mouth and striking him with the end of a ski pole during a "ski rage incident," Vernon police Lt. Keith Kimkowski has said.

Caruthers was skiing with his own child when the 12-year-old boy fell into them, prompting the assault, Kimkowski said. He currently faces charges of second-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

The boy was visibly injured when police arrived at the scene, according to Kimkowski.

Caruthers' attorney, Robert Dunn, previously told NJ Advance Media his client was sorry for any misunderstanding.

"My client had no intention of causing any harm to this young man," Dunn said. "It was more in the nature of an accident."

Sussex County First Assistant Prosecutor Greg Mueller said Caruthers was scheduled to appear in court again in April.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.