Video captures road rage incident with mom, child, and driver in New York state
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A disturbing incident on the roads of Cheektowaga, New York, has captured the attention of thousands of people. A viral video shows a confrontation that escalated beyond mere words with a mother, her child, and another driver.
According to Cheektowaga Police, the incident took place around 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Adreana Jemison, a Cheektowaga resident, was bringing her daughters to school. After making a turn onto the road, she saw a car coming behind her. She said she had enough space to get her vehicle out onto the road, but it caused a man to lay on his horn -- sparking an argument between the two.
That's when Jemison said the man began hurling racial slurs at her. Out of shock and frustration, she admits, she threw coins at his car.
But what happened next was something she had never seen coming. The man went to the passenger side of the vehicle.
"He starts grabbing my daughter around her neck," said Jemison. "She's screaming and hollering. My youngest is screaming and hollering. I'm screaming and hollering."
Aleana Caurthon, the 10-year-old daughter, reflected on the horrifying moment.
"He had his hand around my neck, and I felt like I was going to panic," said Caurthon. "It was so scary. I didn't know what I did wrong."
Jemison said that when the light turned green, the man got back into his car and drove off. Wanting to get his license plate number, she followed him to his mother's home — all while recording on her phone for her safety.
The video captured the man continuing to yell racial slurs at the woman and her two young children.
Cheektowaga Police told Nexstar's WIVB News 4 they were made aware of the incident around noon. Police immediately began investigating, reviewing surveillance footage from a nearby business.
After speaking with victims and processing evidence, police arrested 34-year-old Justin Goodrich. He has been charged with second-degree harassment, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal mischief for damaging the young girl's shirt.
Goodrich has also since been fired from his job. His former employer, United Refrigeration Inc., provided us with this statement: "As soon as the Company learned of this incident the afternoon of May 6th, the Company took immediate action. The Company placed the employee on leave and initiated an investigation into the matter. His actions were inconsistent with the values and policies of the Company and, as a result of our review of the matter, the person who was the subject of the investigation is no longer employed by United Refrigeration."
The trauma of the moment for Caurthon is still strong.
"I feel like he's going to come back and come kill me," said Caurthon. "I was crying last night, and I am still traumatized. I can't even go to school."
Goodrich is not facing hate crime charges as of now. Police say there is no evidence that race was the motive, but if future evidence shows the charges should be elevated, they will do so.
Jemison said this was more than a heated argument, especially after the racial slurs she and her daughters were called. She plans to keep fighting for justice.
"My kids are at the age where they are learning about Black history. They're learning why they celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day back in January," said Jemison. "Why is this still happening? I thought this happened back then. No, it's still going on and it's here in Western New York. It needs to stop."
Goodrich was released from custody and will have to return to court at a later date.
As Jemison and her family pursue legal action, they have created a GoFundMe to help with fees. If you'd like to donate, you can do so here.