Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Mother Testifies in Road Rage Trial of Man Accused of Killing 6-Year-Old Son

Introduction

In a highly emotional courtroom testimony on Monday, Joanna Cloonan recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the tragic death of her 6-year-old son, Aiden Leos. The incident occurred during a road rage confrontation on the 55 Freeway in Orange, California. The trial is currently underway, and the accused gunman, Marcus Anthony Eriz, is facing second-degree murder charges.

The Incident

On May 21, 2021, while driving from their Costa Mesa home to Calvary Chapel Pre-School in Yorba Linda, Joanna Cloonan noticed a Volkswagen Gold SportWagen rapidly approaching her vehicle in the carpool lane of the northbound 55 Freeway. Feeling intimidated, she stated that the Volkswagen abruptly cut in front of her car, causing her to swerve out of the carpool lane.

As the vehicles drove side by side, Cloonan claimed that the driver of the Volkswagen, later identified as Wynne Lee, flashed a peace sign. Feeling uneasy, Cloonan decided to distance herself from the aggressive driver and made a gesture by giving the middle finger. It was at this moment that she made eye contact with the passenger, Marcus Anthony Eriz, who allegedly smiled back at her.

The Tragic Outcome

Moments later, a loud noise resembling a rock hitting her car startled Cloonan. To her horror, Aiden, who was seated in a booster seat behind her, exclaimed, “Ow!” When Cloonan looked back, she found her son slumped over. She immediately pulled over to the side of the freeway and attempted to call 911 while holding onto Aiden. In a state of panic, Cloonan could be heard on the 911 audio begging for help and repeatedly calling out her son’s name.

Despite the efforts of an off-duty law enforcement officer and later paramedics, Aiden could not be saved. The investigation revealed that a bullet had pierced through the trunk of Cloonan’s car, striking Aiden’s back, liver, lung, and heart before exiting his right abdomen.

The Testimony

During her testimony, Cloonan firmly denied ever posing a danger to Eriz or Lee. When asked by the Senior Deputy District Attorney if she had attempted to use her car as a weapon, Cloonan emphatically replied, “No.” Eriz’s defense attorney, Deputy Public Defender Randall Bethune, questioned Cloonan about whether she had mentioned the passenger’s smile to the police, to which she responded, “I don’t recall.”

Eriz’s Admission

In a recorded police interrogation played in court, Eriz admitted to firing the fatal shot. He claimed that the confrontation escalated after Cloonan acted hostile toward them. However, Eriz could not provide a clear reason for his actions, stating, “I don’t know why, I have no answer why, but I pulled out my Glock and pulled the trigger and it was gone.”

Eriz revealed that he had started carrying a gun due to the increasing instances of aggressive behavior on the freeway. Despite being aware of the consequences, he confessed that he did not think about them in the heat of the moment. Eriz also expressed regret for his actions and the pain he caused, apologizing to his girlfriend, Wynne Lee, shortly after the interrogation.

Legal Proceedings and Future Trials

The trial is expected to conclude with closing arguments on Wednesday. While Eriz faces second-degree murder charges, Lee, who is accused of being an accessory after the fact, will be tried separately at a later date.

This heartbreaking case has brought attention to the dangers of road rage and the devastating consequences it can have. As the trial continues, the hope remains that justice will be served for Aiden Leos and his grieving family.

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