Illustration of road rage incident on Interstate 93
Michael Bragel, a Quincy resident, has been charged with multiple offenses following a road rage incident on Interstate 93. The incident escalated when he allegedly fired a weapon at a vehicle driven by a pregnant woman and her boyfriend after a near-collision. Bragel now faces serious charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and illegal possession of a firearm. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a probable cause hearing. The case highlights growing concerns about road rage incidents and public safety.
Boston — A 33-year-old Quincy man, Michael Bragel, has been charged with multiple offenses following a road rage incident on Interstate 93 that involved a pregnant woman and her boyfriend. The incident occurred on July 1, 2023, at approximately 5:21 p.m., when Bragel allegedly fired a gun at the couple’s vehicle after a near-collision.
The pregnant woman, who is five months along, reported that while driving on the busy highway, a pickup truck nearly collided with their car due to aggressive driving. In an attempt to signal their discontent, she honked her horn. In response, Bragel reportedly stopped his truck, exited the vehicle, brandished a firearm, and fired at the couple’s car as they drove past, before fleeing the scene at high speed.
Authorities launched an investigation after Massachusetts State Police examined the couple’s vehicle and discovered damage consistent with a projectile impact positioned inches below the front passenger door window. The couple’s boyfriend captured critical video footage of the suspect’s truck, noting a distinctive “Alltown Construction” decal on its rear window.
Following the release of this information, a query of the truck’s license plate through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) identified the vehicle as a red Ford F-350 registered to Alltown Construction. The registration linked back to an address in Quincy, where Bragel was confirmed to be the registered resident.
During the investigation, both victims independently identified Bragel from a photo array provided by law enforcement. As a result, he faces serious legal repercussions, including two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), two counts of assault to murder, two counts of assault and battery attempt with a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, and carrying a firearm without a license. In addition to these accounts, he is known to have an open case for malicious destruction of a motor vehicle in Quincy.
A criminal warrant for Bragel’s arrest was obtained on July 14, leading to his court appearance. During proceedings, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. The judge subsequently set bail at $3,000, imposing conditions that include GPS monitoring upon release, a stay-away order from the victims, and a prohibition on the possession of firearms or dangerous weapons.
Bragel is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on August 28, 2023. The actions he is accused of have drawn significant attention, as they were described by Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden as “extraordinarily reckless,” posing serious risks not only to the victims but also to other motorists on the congested road.
This incident underscores the pressing issue of road rage and its potential dangers on public highways. The ongoing legal proceedings will determine the implications of Bragel’s actions and whether justice will be served for the affected couple.
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