A Lorain County grand jury has indicted the man accused of shooting a van driver during a May road rage incident in Amherst Township. The bullet, which remains lodged in the victim’s spine, left her temporarily paralyzed—and her quick actions may have saved the lives of five passengers in her care.
Nicholas DeJesus, 27, was indicted on June 24, 2025, on the following felony charges:
- Felonious assault
- Improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises
DeJesus has pleaded not guilty and is being held in the Lorain County Jail without bond.
The incident took place on May 19 near Middle Ridge Road and State Route 58. According to investigators, DeJesus was involved in a road rage altercation with another driver when he opened fire. A bullet struck a 32-year-old woman employed by Rising Sun Centers, who was transporting five individuals with developmental disabilities in a company van.
Though critically injured, the driver managed to steer the van off the road to a Dollar General parking lot, shielding her passengers from further harm. She was rushed to a local hospital and then airlifted to University Hospitals in Cleveland.
Doctors determined that the bullet could not be safely removed and remains lodged in her spine. She has since regained limited movement but remains unable to walk.
A second individual involved in the road rage incident was later located in Oberlin and is cooperating with the investigation.
Lorain Daily previously reported on the shooting, which shocked many in the community. The victim was not part of the altercation and was simply doing her job when she was caught in the crossfire. Her courage in the moments after the shooting has been praised by first responders and members of the public.
Source: WEWS News 5 Cleveland