Indian-Origin Man Returns Home After Road Rage Shooting, Family Spends $1 Million on Medical Renovation
Two years after a devastating road rage shooting left him paralyzed, Indian-origin man Kishan Patel has finally returned to his New Jersey home earlier this month. Patel had been receiving treatment at a specialized facility in Texas before making the emotional journey back to his family. The incident, which occurred in May 2024, resulted in severe injuries including cardiac arrest, a brain injury, and a broken vertebra, leaving Patel unable to walk or care for himself.
Family Transforms Home into Medical Haven
Patel's family undertook a massive effort to ensure his comfort and care, spending over $1 million to transform their New Jersey residence into a fully equipped medical facility. The renovation was necessary to provide Patel with all the essential medical support he requires on a daily basis. His mother, Manjina Patel, expressed the family's primary goal during a media address on April 9, stating, "We just want to make Kishan comfortable. You know, take that hospital environment away from him." The 32-year-old Patel has shown some progress, as he no longer needs a ventilator to breathe, marking a significant milestone in his recovery.
Off-Duty NYPD Officer Sentenced to 10 Years
The shooting took place at the intersection of Route 73 and Cooper Road in Voorhees Township, New Jersey, on May 17, 2024. Police responded to a reported crash and found Patel bleeding from a gunshot wound. Surveillance footage identified the shooter as Hieu Tran, an officer with the New York City Police Department, who used his department-issued firearm during the apparent road rage incident. Tran was not on duty at the time and was leaving a wedding when the altercation occurred.
Key details of the case include:
- Tran shot Patel multiple times before driving home to New York.
- He reloaded his gun and reported to work the next day.
- Tran was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison on December 15, 2025.
- His attorney cited mental health issues and alcohol struggles as factors.
Family Sues New York City, Calls for NYPD Reform
The Patel family has filed a lawsuit against New York City, urging Mayor Zohran Mamdani to review the case and examine NYPD practices. Manjina Patel revealed to CBS News that no one from the NYPD ever checked on the family following the incident. The family's attorney, Joseph Marrone, emphasized the broader implications, stating, "This should be the case that kind of wakes up the mayor, wakes up the police commissioner, and the entire NYPD to do something about their hiring practices and how they maintain and retain officers going forward." The case highlights ongoing concerns about police conduct and accountability in road rage incidents.
