A minor car accident in Stamford escalated into a melee that sent a delivery driver to the hospital after another man allegedly hit him with a shovel.

Police say it began on Mission Street with a fender-bender. 

Kadeem Sadio, a 28-year-old driving with a learner's permit, allegedly tried to flee the scene.

Cellphone video shows the delivery driver try to stop him, and then a collision with another vehicle. Off-camera, according to witnesses, the delivery driver tore the license plate off the car that hit him.

Then Sadio allegedly got out, grabbed a shovel and cracked the delivery driver over the head, according to witnesses.

Police arrested Sadio on Merrill Avenue, but detectives say the victim shouldn't have tried to take the law into his own hands.

"We always tell people, if the other party involved is being hostile or aggressive or threatening, not to engage," says Sgt. Sean Boeger, of the Stamford Police Department. "Call 911."

Authorities say that it could save you a hospital visit -- and maybe criminal charges. 

It's up to prosecutors whether to charge the victim for taking the license plate, according to officials.