MIAMI (WSVN) - A college student said he had the scare of his life when a driver pulled out a gun on him in broad daylight along busy Southwest Eighth Street in Miami.
Eduardo, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said the road rage incident happened at around 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday.
“I never thought that I would be in that situation,” he said. “I was just in shock. Like, I was about to lose my life.”
Eduardo, 18, said the driver of a silver Volkswagen Jetta appeared to switch lanes without using a turn signal, just past Southwest 57th Avenue.
Eduardo said he apparently laid on his horn a little too long.
Eduardo’s dashboard camera, which he said he bought about eight months ago, captured the other driver as he sped up.
Seconds later, Eduardo said he noticed something from the window of the Jetta.
“After a while, I see a guy just whips out a gun, and he started waving it,” he said. “He literally held it on his hand waiting for me to come near him or get closer to him.”
Eduardo said he had a split second to make a choice.
“At that point, I said, I’m an 18-year-old. I’m not trying to lose my life, so might as well take a U-turn, because I’m trying to live longer,” he said.
Eduardo said the incident left him incredibly shaken. The dashcam footage captured the roadway as he moved into the center turn lane to compose himself.
Eduardo said he is studying to be a crime scene investigator, but he never imagined he’d be in a situation like this.
Eduardo said he called police but was told that without an ID of the other driver, there wasn’t much they could do. On Wednesday, he said he filed a formal report with police.
“This clearly could have escalated from one moment to the next,” said Miami Police spokesperson Kenia Fallat. “We have seen that these types of incidents are taking place way too often. Stop that car, pick up that phone, call 911. Do not take matters into your hands. Let us be the ones to investigate.”
Now, he is counting his blessings.
“I thought I would never see a freaking gun,” he said. “I could have lost my life, but I did not. I’m still here alive, which I’m grateful for.”
Eduardo advises drivers who come into contact with aggressive motorists not to engage with them.
The Volkswagen’s license plate number has been turned over to police.
If you have any information on this road rage incident, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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