Topline: Police say a man nearly lost his eyesight after a violent road rage incident where the suspect allegedly drove his thumbs into the victim’s eye sockets.
Published: September 1, 2025 10:00 am ET
Gavin Fish
I'm the founder of CrimeCod and I run a true crime YouTube channel you might be interested in.
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Police say Ronnie Bushway II has serious eye injuries and remains unable to see. (Courtesy: Winooski Police)
WINOOSKI, VT — A Colchester man is facing felony charges after allegedly attacking a stranger during a road rage incident, nearly gouging the victim’s eyes out with his thumbs, according to police.
The altercation happened around 8:30 p.m. on Malletts Bay Avenue in Winooski, Vermont, when Aaron Williams, 44, allegedly tailgated and attempted to pass another driver, according to the Winooski Police Department. When the other driver blocked the pass, investigators say Williams cut him off, slammed on the brakes, then exited his car to confront the man.
Law enforcement told Law&Crime that Williams initiated a physical altercation and injured the victim’s eyes. According to investigators, Williams drove his thumbs into the man’s eye sockets, causing extreme pain. The victim reportedly told police he heard a pop and immediately lost vision.
Court records reviewed by WCAX indicate the initial confrontation was caught on dash cam footage, though the alleged gouging happened off-camera. Authorities said at least two witnesses observed the assault and have spoken with investigators.
Cathryn Blanchard, a local resident who saw the aftermath, described the scene to WPTZ. She said the victim’s face was covered in blood and he could barely speak when she called police.
The injured man, who has not been publicly identified, was rushed to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. Doctors told WCAX that vision is expected to return in one eye, but the other may be permanently damaged.
His father, Ronnie Bushaway Sr., told WPTZ that his son is a tractor-trailer driver who now risks losing his commercial license because of the injury. He added that the man’s wife has been by his side during recovery, which he expects to be lengthy.
Williams has been charged with felony aggravated assault and felony maiming. If convicted of maiming, he could face a life sentence.
Deputy State’s Attorney Susan Hardin called the incident an “egregious offense” during a court appearance last Thursday, according to the independent weekly Seven Days. The judge remarked on the “extraordinary nature” of the case and its potential sentencing implications.
Williams pleaded not guilty. A bail hearing is expected in the coming weeks.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Vermont Man Accused of Gouging Stranger’s Eyes in Road Rage Attack Faces Life Sentence
Police say a man nearly lost his eyesight after a violent road rage incident where the suspect allegedly drove his thumbs into the victim’s eye sockets.
By Gavin Fish
Published: September 1, 2025 10:00 am ET
Police say Ronnie Bushway II has serious eye injuries and remains unable to see. (Courtesy: Winooski Police)
WINOOSKI, VT — A Colchester man is facing felony charges after allegedly attacking a stranger during a road rage incident, nearly gouging the victim’s eyes out with his thumbs, according to police.
The altercation happened around 8:30 p.m. on Malletts Bay Avenue in Winooski, Vermont, when Aaron Williams, 44, allegedly tailgated and attempted to pass another driver, according to the Winooski Police Department. When the other driver blocked the pass, investigators say Williams cut him off, slammed on the brakes, then exited his car to confront the man.
Law enforcement told Law&Crime that Williams initiated a physical altercation and injured the victim’s eyes. According to investigators, Williams drove his thumbs into the man’s eye sockets, causing extreme pain. The victim reportedly told police he heard a pop and immediately lost vision.
Court records reviewed by WCAX indicate the initial confrontation was caught on dash cam footage, though the alleged gouging happened off-camera. Authorities said at least two witnesses observed the assault and have spoken with investigators.
Cathryn Blanchard, a local resident who saw the aftermath, described the scene to WPTZ. She said the victim’s face was covered in blood and he could barely speak when she called police.
The injured man, who has not been publicly identified, was rushed to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. Doctors told WCAX that vision is expected to return in one eye, but the other may be permanently damaged.
His father, Ronnie Bushaway Sr., told WPTZ that his son is a tractor-trailer driver who now risks losing his commercial license because of the injury. He added that the man’s wife has been by his side during recovery, which he expects to be lengthy.
Williams has been charged with felony aggravated assault and felony maiming. If convicted of maiming, he could face a life sentence.
Deputy State’s Attorney Susan Hardin called the incident an “egregious offense” during a court appearance last Thursday, according to the independent weekly Seven Days. The judge remarked on the “extraordinary nature” of the case and its potential sentencing implications.
Williams pleaded not guilty. A bail hearing is expected in the coming weeks.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Vermont Man Accused of Gouging Stranger’s Eyes in Road Rage Attack Faces Life Sentence
Police say a man nearly lost his eyesight after a violent road rage incident where the suspect allegedly drove his thumbs into the victim’s eye sockets.
By Gavin Fish
Published: September 1, 2025 10:00 am ET
Police say Ronnie Bushway II has serious eye injuries and remains unable to see. (Courtesy: Winooski Police)
WINOOSKI, VT — A Colchester man is facing felony charges after allegedly attacking a stranger during a road rage incident, nearly gouging the victim’s eyes out with his thumbs, according to police.
The altercation happened around 8:30 p.m. on Malletts Bay Avenue in Winooski, Vermont, when Aaron Williams, 44, allegedly tailgated and attempted to pass another driver, according to the Winooski Police Department. When the other driver blocked the pass, investigators say Williams cut him off, slammed on the brakes, then exited his car to confront the man.
Law enforcement told Law&Crime that Williams initiated a physical altercation and injured the victim’s eyes. According to investigators, Williams drove his thumbs into the man’s eye sockets, causing extreme pain. The victim reportedly told police he heard a pop and immediately lost vision.
Court records reviewed by WCAX indicate the initial confrontation was caught on dash cam footage, though the alleged gouging happened off-camera. Authorities said at least two witnesses observed the assault and have spoken with investigators.
Cathryn Blanchard, a local resident who saw the aftermath, described the scene to WPTZ. She said the victim’s face was covered in blood and he could barely speak when she called police.
The injured man, who has not been publicly identified, was rushed to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. Doctors told WCAX that vision is expected to return in one eye, but the other may be permanently damaged.
His father, Ronnie Bushaway Sr., told WPTZ that his son is a tractor-trailer driver who now risks losing his commercial license because of the injury. He added that the man’s wife has been by his side during recovery, which he expects to be lengthy.
Williams has been charged with felony aggravated assault and felony maiming. If convicted of maiming, he could face a life sentence.
Deputy State’s Attorney Susan Hardin called the incident an “egregious offense” during a court appearance last Thursday, according to the independent weekly Seven Days. The judge remarked on the “extraordinary nature” of the case and its potential sentencing implications.
Williams pleaded not guilty. A bail hearing is expected in the coming weeks.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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