It was just a normal Monday afternoon in Northern Ontario. James Benjamin Turner, an ER and surgical nurse from New Liskeard, was driving down Highway 11 near Temiskaming Shores. He saw a Toyota RAV4 swerving. Like most of us would, he figured the driver was probably texting or distracted. He flashed his high beams. Just a quick "hey, stay in your lane" heads-up.
That one small gesture sparked a nightmare.
What followed wasn't just a shouting match or a rude gesture. It was a calculated, violent attempt on a man's life that was caught, frame by frame, on a dashcam. The James Benjamin Turner road rage incident quickly went from a local traffic report to a viral video that had people across the country questioning how a simple commute could turn so deadly so fast.
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The Bridge Incident: When Help Becomes a Target
When the RAV4 pulled over to the shoulder, Turner actually stopped. Honestly, given his job as a nurse, his first instinct was to see if the person was having a medical emergency. Instead, the SUV driver—later identified by police as Trevor Marchildon—slammed the vehicle into reverse.
The SUV came at Turner's Honda at high speed. Turner was already on the phone with 911, his voice rising in panic as he realized this wasn't an accident. The dashcam footage is chilling. You can hear Turner repeating, "I'm in danger," to the dispatcher as the RAV4 u-turned and charged at him head-on.
The most terrifying moment happened on a bridge. The drop was 200 feet down to frozen water. The SUV intentionally rammed Turner’s car, seemingly trying to shove him over the edge of the overpass. He was trapped. One wrong move and the car goes over. Somehow, Turner managed to maneuver away, but the chase didn't end there.
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A Chase Through Town
Turner fled toward the local police station, hoping for safety. The RAV4 stayed on his tail. Near a local Tim Hortons, the suspect rammed him again.
The police finally stepped in with a spike belt to stop the SUV. It wasn't a peaceful surrender; the suspect faced charges including two counts of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon—using the vehicle itself as a battering ram against the cops.
- Suspect: Trevor Marchildon, 37.
- Charges: Dangerous operation, criminal harassment, assault with a weapon, and fleeing police.
- Status of the Victim: Turner escaped with a totaled car and minor physical injuries (mostly sprains to his wrist and thumb).
Why the Internet Had Mixed Feelings
You’d think the reaction would be 100% sympathy. For the most part, it was. About 95% of people were just glad Turner survived. But the internet is a weird place. A small subset of commenters actually blamed Turner. They argued he shouldn't have flashed his lights or stopped his car.
It’s easy to armchair quarterback a life-or-death situation from behind a keyboard.
Turner’s response to the hate? Remarkably calm. As a nurse, he deals with people in crisis every day. He didn't call for vengeance; he called for mental health support. He’s been vocal about the fact that the man who tried to kill him clearly wasn't in a healthy state of mind.
The Takeaway for Every Driver
The James Benjamin Turner road rage story is a case study in why the "old rules" of the road don't always apply anymore. We used to flash lights to warn of speed traps or open gas caps. Now? It can be seen as an act of war by someone on the edge.
If you find yourself in a similar spot, there are a few things that actually saved Turner's life:
- The Dashcam: Without that footage, it’s his word against a stranger's. The video made the case open-and-shut for the Ontario Provincial Police.
- 911 Early: He didn't wait until the first hit to call. He was already on the line when the violence escalated.
- Driving Toward Authority: He didn't drive home. He drove toward the police station, which forced the encounter to a head in a place where help was available.
Don't engage. It sounds cliché, but Turner’s car was a write-off because of a flash of high beams. If someone is driving erratically, keep your distance, don't signal them, and just call it in.
To protect yourself moving forward, consider installing a high-quality dashcam—it’s the only unbiased witness you’ll ever have. If you’re ever followed, never go home; drive straight to a well-lit public area or a police precinct. Staying inside the vehicle with the doors locked is your best defense until professional help arrives.