Road rage victim relieved shooter took plea deal, sentenced to 18 years

GASTONIA, N.C. — A road rage victim who was shot in the head in September 2020, in Gastonia told Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon that he is relieved the shooter took a plea deal.

[ALSO READ: ‘I was terrified’: Driver shot at during road rage incident on I-485 in Matthews]

Cornelius Crank said he didn’t want to relive the traumatic event during a trial in the courtroom. Crank is thankful to be able to talk, thankful that man who shot him here a year and half ago pled guilty.

On that day, a driver cut Crank off at on West Hudson Boulevard. Crank, who was 21 at the time, said he remembers seeing Jeremy Austin Phifer, of Charlotte, point a gun at him before shots rang out.

“I thank God I’m still here,” Crank said.

Cornelius Crank said he is also thankful that the man who almost killed him in this Gastonia intersection pled guilty as attorneys were selecting his jury Tuesday.

Phifer pleaded guilty Tuesday and will spend 18 years in prison for felony assault.

[Shots fired into car during road rage encounter on I-485 in Matthews, police say]

“I also felt a weight that I cannot even explain to you, relieved off of my shoulders,” Crank said.

Crank continues to recover.

“I went to sleep that day one person and woke up in the next day in the hospital,” he said.

Crank said he got out of his car to yell at Phiffer after who cut him off on Sept. 7, 2020. But Crank saw the gun and tried to drive away. Phifer shot Crank in the head and in the back.

“My friend noticed the bullet still sticking out of my back,” Crank said.

After that, panic set in.

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“I’m pleading to God, ‘Please father, don’t let me die. Father, don’t let me die. Father, don’t let me die,’” he said.

Doctors cut open Crank’s skull to relieve pressure on his brain.

Crank said he believes justice was served Tuesday.

(Watch the video below: Police searching for suspect accused of fatally shooting CATS bus driver during road rage incident)