A Vermont man driving home from work nearly had his eyes gouged out by an angry driver during a “road rage” incident, according to police. The victim’s father claims he nearly lost his sight during the brutal attack, which allegedly began because the suspect was not allowed to pass.
According to Law&Crime, Aaron Williams, 44, of Colchester, allegedly “cut the victim off, got out of his car and started a physical altercation” with the man after being prevented from passing him on Malletts Bay Avenue in Winooski.
Williams is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and maiming, with the latter carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
“It was a road rage-related incident,” according to the Winooski Police Department.
The victim, a man in his mid-40s who has not been publicly identified, was driving down Malletts Bay Avenue around 8:30 p.m. when Williams began “tailgating him” and attempted to pass, according to police.
When the victim attempted to block the maneuver, Williams surged ahead and abruptly slammed on the brakes, bringing both vehicles to a stop.
The victim had a dash camera and was allegedly caught on video exiting his vehicle and yelling at Williams, who was walking toward him. According to police, Williams allegedly “struck” the victim and “injured” his eyes by driving his thumbs into the man’s eye sockets.
According to cops, the man told investigators he heard a pop and felt extreme pain afterward, and Williams responded with more punches.
Court documents obtained by local CBS affiliate WCAX show screen grabs from the victim’s dashcam footage of Williams that night.
According to police, the alleged eye gouging occurred off camera, but at least two people witnessed it and spoke with investigators.
The victim was transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center and had emergency surgery for his eye injuries. Doctors told WCAX that he is expected to regain vision in one eye but not both.
“He couldn’t talk much; blood was just pouring from his nose,” Cathryn Blanchard, a local resident who witnessed the aftermath and called police, told local NBC affiliate WPTZ.
The victim’s father, Ronnie Bushaway Sr., says the man’s wife has “been with him the whole time” and he is expected to have a “long” recovery.
He told WPTZ that his son works as a tractor-trailer driver and must pass his CDL license to work, which is currently in jeopardy.
“He was active in his community,” Bushaway said. “All the neighbors love him.”
Williams appeared in court last Thursday, pleading not guilty to the charges.
“This is an egregious offense that was committed on someone who was a stranger to him,” deputy state’s attorney Susan Hardin said during the hearing, according to Seven Days, a local independent weekly.
According to Seven Days, the judge overseeing the case noted the “extraordinary nature” of the attack and the potential for a life sentence.
A bail hearing is expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks.
