Mercedes Driver Faces Attempted Murder in Highway Shooting
A 26-year-old Green Brook woman has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly firing multiple shots into another vehicle during a road rage incident on Route 22 in North Plainfield last month. Juliette Piscopo surrendered to authorities on March 12 and now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charge.
According to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, which announced the charges Tuesday, the incident began as a dispute over lane merging and escalated into a dangerous pursuit before culminating in gunfire. Remarkably, the victim escaped the shooting without physical injury despite the vehicle sustaining significant damage.
Escalation from Merging Dispute to Gunfire
Prosecutor John McDonald detailed how the confrontation began around 8:45 p.m. on February 2, when Piscopo, driving a dark Mercedes-Benz, allegedly attempted to merge into the victim’s lane while traveling eastbound on North Avenue and Madison Avenue in Dunellen. When unsuccessful, Piscopo reportedly passed the victim and another vehicle by driving on the right shoulder of the road.
The situation intensified when the Mercedes then positioned itself behind the victim’s vehicle and followed it for approximately 15 minutes as they traveled into North Plainfield. The pursuit ended violently on Route 22 westbound when, according to authorities, Piscopo pulled alongside the victim’s vehicle and opened fire.
The gunshots shattered multiple windows of the victim’s car, including the front driver’s side window, front passenger side window, and rear passenger side window. One bullet even perforated the fuel cap on the driver’s side of the vehicle, the New York Daily News reported. After the shooting, Piscopo allegedly fled the scene.
Investigation and Surrender
Following the incident, an investigation was launched by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit, working in conjunction with detectives from the North Plainfield Police Department. Through their efforts, investigators were able to identify Piscopo as the driver of the Mercedes.
More than a month after the incident, Piscopo turned herself in to the Prosecutor’s Office on March 12. In addition to the first-degree attempted murder charge, she faces two second-degree weapons offenses: possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Piscopo is currently being held at Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. The attempted murder charge alone carries a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison upon conviction.
NJ woman charged with attempted murder after shots fired in Route 22 road rage: police https://t.co/tz8PRnVLEp
— MyCentralJersey (@MyCentralJersey) March 18, 2025
Rising Trend of Road Rage Violence
This incident represents part of a troubling trend of escalating road rage confrontations across the nation. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, road rage incidents involving firearms have increased by nearly 38% over the past five years, with New Jersey seeing a particular uptick in the densely populated northern counties.
“What begins as a relatively minor traffic dispute can rapidly escalate into life-threatening violence when firearms are involved,” said a spokesperson for the New Jersey State Police Highway Safety Division, who was not directly involved in this case. “We’re seeing more drivers taking everyday traffic frustrations to dangerous extremes.”
Traffic safety experts point to several factors contributing to the rise in aggressive driving incidents, including increased congestion on major commuter routes like Route 22, heightened stress levels among drivers, and the greater prevalence of firearms in vehicles.
Route 22 Concerns
Route 22, where the shooting occurred, has long been identified as one of New Jersey’s more challenging corridors for drivers. The heavily commercialized highway features numerous entry and exit points, frequent lane changes, and consistently heavy traffic volume, creating conditions ripe for conflict between motorists.
“The design of Route 22, particularly in the North Plainfield area, can create stress points where drivers are frequently merging and changing lanes,” noted a regional transportation planner. “These pressure points can exacerbate tension between drivers who may already be operating with shortened tempers.”
Ongoing Investigation
While Piscopo has been charged, authorities are continuing their investigation and seeking additional information. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office has asked anyone with information about the incident to contact their Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the North Plainfield Police Department at 908-769-2900.
Anonymous tips can also be provided through the STOPit app or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). Officials have assured that all anonymous reports will be kept confidential.
As the case proceeds through the judicial system, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly traffic conflicts can escalate and the potentially severe legal consequences that can result from momentary roadway decisions.
