An Illinois Man Punched a Driver During a Road Rage Incident and Ended Up Dead. Now, the Shooter Will Spend 18 Years Behind Bars.

An Illinois man initially charged with first-degree murder in connection with a fatal road rage incident last year has entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge and a judge sentenced him to 18 years in prison, according to authorities.

On Feb. 27, 2022, the victim, 46-year-old Scott Mattison, was backing his pickup truck into his driveway when Jonathan Mejia, 20, pulled up in a sedan, authorities said.

Instead of waiting for Mattison to finish backing up into the driveway, he maneuvered around the truck, the Daily Herald reported.

Mattison then drove after Mejia, overtook him and pulled in front of him, which caused Mejia to stop on the road, authorities said.

Mattison got out of his truck and walked back to Mejia’s vehicle. The pair got into an argument and Mattison reached into Mejia’s vehicle, hitting him in the face, officials said.

Mejia then shot Mattison multiple times with a handgun and drove to the Streamwood Police Department.

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Mejia was initially charged with first-degree murder with a firearm and faced a minimum of 35 years in prison if convicted.

However, he admitted to second-degree murder in exchange for the 18 year sentence, defense lawyer Al Kola told the Daily Herald.

Mejia must serve at least 50% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole and he received credit for the 17 months he had been in custody after his arrest, officials said.