MORRIS COUNTY

Long Valley man recalls being stabbed in the neck

24-year-old wounded while stopped in traffic

Michael Izzo
@MIzzoDR

HACKETTSTOWN - A man who was stabbed in the neck last Sunday while stopped at a traffic light is pushing for additional charges to be filed against his attacker.

Nick Cash was stabbed in the neck while in his car Sunday.

Nick Cash, 24, of Long Valley was recovering and in good condition Wednesday after his encounter with an acquaintance — James Appis, 44, of Chester — about noon Sunday on Route 604 in Hackettstown.

“We’ve had past interactions and were friendly, but I didn’t know him personally,” Cash said. “But I was stopped at a light and looked over and saw him standing there. I said, ‘I think that’s Jim.’ ”

Cash said he called over to Appis, saying hello.

“He asked what I was looking at, so I didn’t know if he recognized me or not,” Cash said. “Then he walked over, leaned in the window, took out a knife and stabbed me in the neck. Then he said if I ever talked to him again, he had a gun.”

Cash said even when Appis pulled out the knife, he didn’t expect to get stabbed.

Nick Cash was stabbed in the neck while in his car Sunday.

“People you know and speak to, you don’t expect to get stabbed in the neck by someone you’ve been friendly with before,” Cash said. “After he did it, he walked right back across the street and seemed calm. He didn’t make a run for it by the time traffic started moving.”

Cash then pulled into the nearby Willow Grove Laundromat to assess his injury.

“Someone asked if they wanted me to call the police and I told them to do what they wanted, I had to get to the hospital,” Cash said. “I guess that person did call the police, and so did the hospital once I got there.”

Cash drove himself to Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, and was eventually taken to Morristown Medical Center where he was treated. He said he received two stitches and was released Sunday.

“They said I was really lucky. The knife just barely missed my carotid artery, and didn’t puncture my trachea or esophagus,” Cash said. “I was surprisingly calm during it all. But definitely not the best way to spend a Sunday.”

Appis eventually was arrested Sunday at the Rendezvous Motel on Route 46 in Washington Township, police said. He was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and terroristic threats.

Appis was held in the Warren County Correctional Facility and his bail was set at $50,000. He also must undergo a psychiatric evaluation before he can be released.

Cash said he plans to push for Appis to be additionally charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com