Driver's Last Minute Maneuver Saves His Life, After Shots Fired In Road Rage Incident
Wednesday March 12, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
A driver is lucky to be alive and uninjured and another man is being sought after what Toronto Police say is a road rage incident taken to extremes. It started Tuesday morning near Progress and Highway 401 not far from Centennial College.
Cops say a driver may have accidentally cut off another motorist around 11:40am. He pulled off the highway and turned southbound onto Meadowvale, not realizing he was being pursued. As he went westbound at Ellesmere Rd., the still enraged motorist rolled down his window, pulled out a black handgun and pointed it straight at his nemesis, who suddenly became aware he was in real danger.
When he saw the gun, he put his foot on the gas, accelerating just enough so that the two bullets that followed struck the rear passenger door of his car and went into the backseat - but not into him. Police believe if he hadn't sped up at the last second, the shots likely would have hit him.
"It looks like he accelerated the car immediately before the shooting," confirms Sgt. Robert Duthie. "Had he not taken that action, it's quite likely the bullets ... would have struck him."
The suspect then made a U-turn on Ellesmere, turned northbound onto Meadowvale and roared off, disappearing into traffic.
Cops confirm the victim did nothing to provoke the violence, aside from the minor incident on the highway. And they're worried about the overreaction that followed. "We're talking about a matter of a millisecond from him being struck by those bullets," Duthie admits. "This gentleman is extremely lucky that he was not injured in this incident."
The still shocked motorist was able to get a good look at his assailant before he made his getaway.
He's described as:
Black,
20-25,
Round face,
Stocky build,
Short black wavy hair,
Chin strap beard.
He was driving a 2000 or newer model four-door gold or champagne coloured vehicle but police aren't sure exactly what make it was.
The victim's car has been taken to a garage to be examined for evidence but two bullet holes can plainly be seen on the rear passenger side (top left).
The victim is a college student who police say isn't used to being around violence. He remains shaken up and upset by how close he came to serious harm, and doesn't want to be identified because his assailant is still out there.
Cops are pleading with the gunman to contact them before anyone else becomes a target. They admit the suspect could faces charges of attempted murder. Call (416) 808-4300 if you know who he is.
