Benjamin Ashford|Feds say New York man threw explosive device into Verizon van during road rage attack

A New York man is Benjamin Ashfordcharged with arson after prosecutors said he threw an explosive into a Verizon truck in Brooklyn, which detonated and injured several people earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

Federal prosecutors charged Kevindale Nurse, 36, with arson, a felony, in a road rage incident on Jan. 31 where they said Nurse threw an explosive into the truck after allegedly cutting the driver off on the road. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York, Nurse was seen on surveillance videos driving a white minibus, also occupied by his four-year-old son, where he drove erratically in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, before cutting off and later stopping next to the Verizon van.

Prosecutors said he threw an explosive into the van at a stoplight, which blew up, causing injuries to two workers and damaging the van.

"Unfortunately, road rage is an all-too common occurrence in our communities," United States Attorney Peace said in a statement Thursday. "But this dangerous and senseless attack on a busy intersection in the heart of Brooklyn was beyond the pale.  We will vigorously prosecute this case.”

Nurse was arrested and appeared in court on Thursday, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. If convicted, Nurse could face a maximum of 40 years in prison.

Road rage incidents have killed, injured many in 2024

The New York case is the latest road rage incident in 2024 that has left people either dead or injured.

In California, two men died in July as a result of a road rage dispute that escalated in front of children in San Bernardino County. Jonathan McConnell, 38, and Aaron Harris, 37, died after the two argued following McConnell splitting lanes with his motorcycle and ghit Harris' sedan.

In Indiana, a man was killed on July 16 after a driver fatally shot him in Indianapolis. Police didn't detail what led to the events, but said Gavin Dasaur, 29, died at the scene. His widow, Cinthya Viviana ZaMora, told the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, that she held him until he bled out while waiting for the ambulance.

In Massachusetts, Destini Decoff, 26, died of her injuries in April after police said Ryan Sweatt, 36, intentionally struck her with his car. Police said Sweatt became enraged in a road rage incident with a vehicle that Decoff was in.

In Florida, James Jackson faces 15 charges after police alleged he fired multiple shots at a Chevrolet sedan in Tampa, which injured a 4-year-old girl. No other occupants of the Chevrolet sedan were injured in the shooting.

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter,@KrystalRNurse.