North Charleston man charged after alleged road rage incident turns violent

Suspect Lucas Ezequiel Prestera accused of assault, brandishing gun, and using racial slurs

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A 33-year-old North Charleston man named Lucas Ezequiel Prestera was arrested on Sunday evening after an alleged road rage incident escalated into a physical assault, with the suspect accused of punching a female passenger, brandishing a handgun, and using racial slurs.

Why it matters

Road rage incidents can quickly turn dangerous, and the alleged use of racial slurs and a firearm in this case raises concerns about public safety and potential hate-based motivations behind the assault.

The details

According to the police report, Prestera allegedly began driving aggressively, following the victims while waving a handgun out the window. He then pulled in front of the victims, slammed on his brakes, and approached the passenger side of their car, where he punched a female passenger multiple times and grabbed her clothing while shouting racial slurs. When one of the victims tried to intervene, Prestera's partner allegedly swung a bottle at her. Police recovered a handgun from Prestera's vehicle and said he continued to use racial slurs when placed in the patrol car.

  • The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Lucas Ezequiel Prestera

A 33-year-old North Charleston resident who was arrested and charged with Pointing and Presenting a Firearm, Assault and Battery in the 3rd Degree, and Hate/Bias-Based Intimidation.

North Charleston Police

The law enforcement agency that responded to the reported road rage incident and arrested Prestera.

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What’s next

Prestera is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for greater awareness and de-escalation of road rage situations, as well as the importance of addressing any potential hate-based motivations behind acts of violence.