Tesla road rage driver: 5 female victims react to suspect's 5-year sentence

LOS ANGELES - Five female victims of a Tesla driver linked to a string of road rage incidents across Southern California held a press conference Tuesday to speak on the suspect's sentence and their concerns regarding perceived violations of their rights within the criminal justice system.

The event was organized by prominent attorney Gloria Allred, who is advocating for reforms to protect and uphold victims' rights in the state of California.

The victims in question allege that their rights under Marsy's Law, which delineates the rights of crime victims in California, were not properly respected. They claim to have faced multiple obstacles during their pursuit of justice. These include being kept uninformed about their rights, not being consulted on plea deals offered to defendants, and lacking the opportunity to provide victim impact statements at sentencing hearings.

During the press conference, four victims shared their experiences, detailing the challenges they encountered within the criminal justice system. They had felony charges filed on their behalf by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office against their respective assailant.

Although charges were filed on their behalf, the victims expressed their disappointment in the way their cases were handled by the district attorney's office. They argue that their rights, as defined under Marsy's Law in the California Constitution, were not honored.

Key Allegations of Violations

Some of the key violations alleged by the victims include:

Lack of Information: The victims were not informed of their rights as defined by Marsy's Law, including their right to be informed and their right to be heard.

Plea Deals: The victims claim they were not informed in advance about plea deals offered to the defendants in their cases, which could have led to reduced sentences or early release for the defendants. They contend they were not consulted about these significant legal decisions.

Sentencing Impact: The victims were not provided with advance notice of the sentencing court date, depriving them of the opportunity to present victim impact statements at the sentencing.

Ineffective Legal Remedies: They also allege that there is currently no meaningful legal remedy in place to address violations of their rights, leaving victims without effective means of recourse.

During the press conference, the victims expressed their intent to work together to create proposals for legislative changes to ensure the protection and enforcement of victims' rights in the future.

Allred underscored the need for victims to be informed of their rights and to participate in the legal process when charges are filed on their behalf. The group asserts the necessity of genuine, effective legal remedies to address violations of victims' rights, maintaining that mere lip service to these rights is insufficient.

The victims have also voiced their disappointment in the handling of their cases by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and are advocating for greater sensitivity and understanding within law enforcement agencies when dealing with victims.

The so-called "Tesla road-rage driver," Nathaniel Walter Radimak, was convicted in September on several felony counts including criminal threats, vandalism, assault and elder abuse.

At least 10 people - mostly women - came forward saying the 36-year-old violently attacked them in cities across Los Angeles County.

Radimak was arrested in late January in Torrance by the California Highway Patrol in connection to one of his many viral road rage incidents.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: California Tesla driver charged for road rage attacks caught on camera

Radimak was identified as the person wielding a pipe, caught on camera during a road rage incident that occurred on January 11 while he was driving a black Model X Tesla on the southbound lanes of Highway 2 near York Boulevard in Glendale.

During the incident, a Chevrolet pickup truck driver, witnessing the road rage episode involving the black Tesla, started recording with his cellphone. A few minutes later, the Tesla driver attempted to merge into the left lane, making contact with the Chevrolet and hitting its front passenger side. Both vehicles continued driving, but moments later, the Tesla driver stopped in the middle of the freeway, exited his car with a "pole-like object," and repeatedly struck the Chevrolet's door and window.

The Tesla driver then returned to his car and drove away.

Law enforcement found steroids and more than $30,000 in his car at the time of his arrest, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office said.

Radimak faced charges not only for the January 11 attack but also for two other incidents dating back to June 2022. On November 9, 2022, Radimak allegedly threatened to assault a woman at an Atwater Village storage facility. Later the same day, he reportedly left his car and threatened another woman on the freeway, breaking one of her headlights.

In June 2022, Radimak is accused of threatening to assault a 74-year-old woman outside a Glendale doctor's office.

Radimak is involved in another pending road rage case from January 2020, where he allegedly attacked another driver in Hollywood, according to the DA's office.