I believe that in this situation the best idea would've been to not chase the driver/spit in his windshield and let HIM be the stressed one yelling obscenities.

He would've just drove by, and be out of your lives, You laugh it off, and you're the wiser. Now you have a broken wheel, and some bureaucracy to take care of. The driver got an outing for his frustration and probably not a scratch on his bumper. Sure it was criminal and stupid of him to do this, and it can't be excused, but it could've all been avoided. Vengence draws vengence!