Mother of Three Loses Sight After Being Shot in Road Rage Incident

A New Jersey woman may be permanently blinded after she was allegedly shot by a man who threatened to kill her during a road rage incident.

The Galloway Township Police Department reported that Ernest Heinz, aged 46, was arrested hours after he reportedly shot Maritza Arias-Galva on September 11. Arias-Galva sustained a gunshot injury to her face, yet retained consciousness and could describe the man who supposedly cut her off in traffic, threatened her life, and then shot at her. The mother of three is continuing her recovery in the hospital.

Arias-Galva’s son shared with Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate WCAU that Heinz allegedly warned his mother, “I’m going to kill you today. Today, I’m gonna take care of you,” before shooting her car window once.

As per a criminal complaint accessed by WCAU, Arias-Galva was driving when Heinz accelerated and cut her off as she sought to merge. When their vehicles were positioned side-by-side at a red light, Heinz supposedly shouted threats at Arias-Galva, pulled a gun, and shot despite her attempting to shield herself by rolling up the window. This act resulted in the window’s glass shattering and a grave injury to her eye, according to the police.

The purported event occurred near Stockton University, causing Heinz to flee, which incited an extended lockdown on campus. Heinz was ultimately arrested at his residence that same day, facing charges of attempted homicide, firearms-related aggravated assault, weapon possession, and unlawful purposes possession.

Heinz, an actor with minor roles on TV and film productions like “The Sopranos,” “Resident Evil,” and “The Prestige,” is currently detained without bail at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. A pretrial detention hearing is set for Tuesday.

Arias-Galva’s son, Victor Feliz-Alvarez, told WCAU that he wants “justice” for his mother, adding, “Lock him up and don’t let him out.”