Legend News And Obituary

In the quiet morning hours in Lorain, Ohio, a 32-year-old woman driving a van for Rising Sun Centers, a service for adults with developmental disabilities, became an unintended victim of a violent road rage incident that shattered the calm of a typical Monday. Just before 8 a.m. on May 19, 2025, she was struck by a bullet while navigating the 7500 block of Leavitt Road in Amherst Township, her van carrying five passengers, all unharmed but shaken. The woman, whose identity has been withheld at her request, remains hospitalized, unable to move her legs but showing faint signs of hope with movement in her toes. Doctors have decided against removing the bullet, a grim reminder of the chaos that unfolded.

The incident began as a heated dispute between two men near the intersection of Cooper Foster and South Broadway in Lorain. The argument, initially verbal, escalated as it spilled onto the roads, moving west through Middle Ridge to State Route 58. Nicholas DeJesus, a 27-year-old Amherst Township resident, allegedly fired shots during the confrontation, striking the woman’s van. She was not the intended target, authorities say, but an innocent bystander caught in a reckless act of violence. A second victim, located Penalized by gunfire in Oberlin but unharmed, is cooperating with investigators. DeJesus, now facing seven counts of felonious assault and one count of discharging a firearm on prohibited premises, turned himself in to Amherst Police later that day and is being held in Lorain County Jail.

As the road rage incident spiraled out of control, DeJesus reportedly fled the scene at high speed, weaving between vehicles in a desperate attempt to evade law enforcement. Eyewitnesses described his vehicle tearing northbound on Leavitt Road toward Lake Erie at speeds estimated between 80 and 100 miles per hour, a dangerous blur on the busy roadway. Multiple police cruisers from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Amherst Police, and Ohio State Highway Patrol gave chase, their sirens piercing the morning air. The pursuit culminated in a dramatic crash at the intersection of Leavitt and Meister Roads, where DeJesus’s vehicle collided with others, bringing the chaotic sequence to an abrupt end. Emergency responders, including Amherst Fire Department, arrived swiftly, rendering aid to the injured and securing the scene. The exact details of the collision, including the number of vehicles involved and any additional injuries, remain under investigation, with authorities still piecing together the sequence of events.

The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, leading the investigation, is meticulously gathering evidence, including witness statements and potential surveillance or dashcam footage. The shattered window of the victim’s van, glass strewn across the passenger seat, was a stark image in the parking lot of a Dollar General near State Route 58, where the van came to rest. Susan Miller, the store’s assistant manager, opened her doors to provide shelter and comfort to the van’s passengers, offering chairs and water to calm their distress. One passenger, fearing for the injured driver, expressed heartbreaking concern about never seeing her again. The community response has been one of shock and support, with a GoFundMe page established to aid the victim’s recovery, reflecting the collective desire to rally around an innocent woman caught in a moment of senseless violence.

The Lorain Police Department has yet to release an official statement, but investigators are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Wohlever at 440-329-3749. As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly road rage can escalate, leaving lasting consequences for those uninvolved. Authorities emphasize the importance of reporting aggressive driving to law enforcement rather than taking matters into one’s own hands, a lesson underscored by this tragic event. Further updates are expected as the case unfolds, with the community holding its breath for justice and healing.

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