Bluffton Man Faces Multiple Felony Charges Following Traffic Dispute Incident
In a shocking turn of events here in Bluffton, a local man, Oscar Jimenez-Coronado, has been charged with a series of serious felonies after allegedly firing a gun at a moving vehicle during a traffic skirmish. This alarming incident occurred on U.S. 278 during rush hour, stirring significant concern among residents and authorities alike.
The Incident Unfolds
According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 7:45 a.m. last Friday. A caller, employed at Hilton Head BMW, reported that a driver of a silver Chevy Camaro had fired a shot at his car following what he described as an unintentional lane cutoff. The dispute escalated quickly, with the Camaro tailing the dealership employee closely enough to raise alarms.
Details from the sheriff’s incident report reveal a inflamed situation where Jimenez-Coronado, 26 years old and visibly agitated, began yelling and swearing from his open window. After both vehicles halted at a red light near Burnt Church Road, he exited his Camaro and allegedly approached the other driver, demanding he “pull over” and “get out of the car.” The victim, understandably frightened, kept his windows closed.
A Gun is Brandished
As the confrontation intensified, officers reported that the driver of the Camaro brandished a black firearm and pointed it threateningly at the victim. While the victim noted that the gun’s slide was locked to the rear, indicating it might not be loaded, the situation escalated quickly when Jimenez-Coronado allegedly fired a shot as the other driver turned into the BMW dealership. The victim described hearing a “ping” on the roof of his vehicle, realizing he had been shot at, and promptly called 911.
Rapid Police Response
Thanks to the swift actions of Beaufort County’s traffic management teams, who utilized live feeds from local traffic cameras, deputies were able to locate the Camaro approaching the Windmill Harbor intersection near Hilton Head Island. Officers were alerted and subsequently apprehended Jimenez-Coronado at the scene.
Charges Filed
As of this past Wednesday afternoon, Jimenez-Coronado has been held at the Beaufort County Detention Center. His charges include attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, pointing and presenting a firearm, felony gun possession, drug possession, and driving under suspension. His total bail is set at $100,000, according to jail records.
Road Rage in Beaufort County
This incident highlights a worrying trend in Beaufort County, where road rage-related crimes are becoming increasingly common. Data compiled by local law enforcement indicates that there were at least 10 similar incidents reported in a year-long span ending in May 2023. Many of these cases involved drivers brandishing weapons at fellow road users, with a good number of them going without arrests due to insufficient evidence or lack of follow-through from the parties involved.
As our community grapples with the implications of such volatile behavior, the story of Oscar Jimenez-Coronado serves as a stark reminder of the potentially dangerous outcomes that can arise from routine traffic disputes. Residents are encouraged to remain calm during heated moments on the roads, reminding themselves that no disagreement is worth endangering lives.
The police department continues to urge citizens to report any incidents of road rage, fostering a safer driving environment for everyone in Bluffton and beyond.
