02/11/2024
Leesburg Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Road Rage Incident
A Leesburg man, Ricardo Osiel Avilez Blanco, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following a violent road rage incident that escalated into an attempted malicious wounding. Judge Matthew P. Snow of the Loudoun County Circuit Court handed down the sentence on October 24, 2024, without any time suspended, meaning Avilez Blanco will serve the full eight-year term. Additionally, he must pay $7,274.11 in restitution for damages.
The charges stem from an October 2023 incident in Leesburg, when Avilez Blanco aggressively pursued another driver and his juvenile son in a white Camaro. As traffic congested, Avilez Blanco began a series of dangerous “burnouts” around the victim’s vehicle, creating an atmosphere of intimidation. The pursuit continued into the parking lot of Heritage High School, where the victim stopped. Avilez Blanco pulled in behind, bumped the Camaro’s front bumper against the victim’s vehicle, and performed another burnout. When the two drivers exited their vehicles, Avilez Blanco threw both a metal U-hook and a drill battery, damaging the victim’s vehicle.
In the most serious escalation of the confrontation, Avilez Blanco then got back into his vehicle and drove directly at the victim at an estimated 25 miles per hour, striking him and injuring his elbow, knee, and hands. Avilez Blanco fled the scene but was later identified by Leesburg Police Department detectives. He was located in Arizona’s Pinal County Detention Center on unrelated charges, and the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office arranged his extradition back to Virginia.
During the hearing, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Rock emphasized the deliberate and dangerous nature of Avilez Blanco’s actions, stating that the incident was “terrifying” for the victim and warranted a lengthy prison term. The defense noted the presence of an ICE detainer on Avilez Blanco, adding that it served as an additional measure of punishment. Judge Snow, however, highlighted the multiple points at which Avilez Blanco could have de-escalated the situation and concluded that his actions were “terrorizing” and merited a substantial sentence.
This case highlights the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s firm stance on violent road rage incidents, with Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson commending the Leesburg Police for their careful work in bringing Avilez Blanco to justice.
A Leesburg man, Ricardo Osiel Avilez Blanco, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following a violent road rage incident that escalated into an attempted malicious wounding. Judge Matthew P. Snow of the Loudoun County Circuit Court handed down the sentence on October 24, 2024, without any tim...
