We cover a lot of road rage incidents, some ending up as defense gun use stories. This one is pretty wild, according to reports. Investigators are still interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage, but the following is based on Florida Politics’ report and sources.
Last week, John Kuczwanski, Legislative Affairs Director for the Florida State Board of Administration, drove through an intersection where he had a previous road rage incident when his BMW swerved out of his lane, hitting a Prius.
The two vehicles pulled over into a parking lot. The man in the Prius confronted Kuczwanski but then got back into his car to wait for the police to arrive. What happened or what was said during this confrontation isn’t known at this point.
According to sources, Kuczwanski then rammed his BMW into the Prius’ driver door and started pushing the car sideways. He then shot at the Prius, which is when the Prius driver drew his own firearm and fired back. Kuczwanski was hit and killed by the gunfire.
Kuczwanski’s wife claimed he was trying to get away and was ambushed. I would assume that if there’s surveillance footage from businesses close by, it should be clear whether he was ramming the other car or trying to get away.
But going by what was reported, what could possibly set you off enough to want to ram another car and shoot at them. Over a traffic incident? And if this is exactly how things played out, the victim in the Prius is lucky to be alive. It seems that he waited until there were no other options but to fire back.
It is noted that Kuczwanski pleaded no contest to assault and disorderly conduct charges in 2014 that stemmed from a road rage incident in the same intersection. It appears he pointed his gun and laser at another driver.
We will update this story as more details emerge.