Columbus man sentenced to 15 to 17½ years in prison for deadly I-76 road rage shooting

A 31-year-old Columbus man involved in a road rage shooting in Norton along Interstate 76 last year will spend over a decade in prison for the death of George "Geo" Jensen.

Dacarrei Kinard was sentenced to 15 to 17½ years Friday, with five years of parole after release.

Guilty verdict: Columbus man found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in Norton I-76 road rage shooting

A jury found Kinard guilty in late March of two counts of voluntary manslaughter, one count of felonious assault, discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises and multiple firearm and drive-by specifications.

Before handing down the sentence, Summit County Common Pleas Judge Kathryn Michael said the shooting left two families broken.

"Your actions that day took you away from your family and took Mr. Jensen away from his," Michael told Kinard. "This is a nightmare scenario for both families."

I-76 shooting that killed George Jensen

The deadly road rage incident on May 17, 2023, began when Jensen, in a blue Mazda, started to cut off and brake-check Kinard in his black Camaro.

Eventually, Kinard veered into the shoulder lane of the highway, passing a trailer and re-entering the far-right lane.

That's when prosecutors said Kinard opened fire on the blue Mazda. Of the roughly eight bullets, two hit Jensen. One was fatal.

Prosecutors acknowledged during the jury trial that Jensen had engaged in aggressive driving, but they argued it did not warrant opening fire on a highway.

Testifying that he acted in self-defense, Kinard described how Jensen pursued cut him off, brake-checked him and attempted to force him off the highway multiple times.

Scared Jensen would shoot him, Kinard said he grabbed a gun and opened fire.

Immediately after the shooting, Kinard exited I-76 and re-entered the westbound lanes, passing the scene and continuing to Columbus.

Two families losing loved ones

Allison Kee-Jensen had spent nearly half her life with her husband, "Geo" Jensen, before he was killed last May. She described him as a loving person who enjoyed animals, music and bad movies.

Scott Keenan still reaches for his phone to call his best friend of 31 years before realizing he's gone.

"His absence leaves a void that can never be filled," he said. "I still expect him to walk through my door. The memories we shared are so bittersweet."

George Jensen Sr. said his son drove a lot for work and developed a low tolerance for aggressive drivers. Although his son could drive aggressively, he said he believed his son was trying to defend himself that day.

Kinard, mother apologize to victim's family

Kinard spoke to Jensen's family after they gave their victim impact statements.

"I want to say that I'm very sorry. I never meant for this to happen," Kinard said. "I'm very sorry to my family and the victim's family. I wish I handled myself in a better manner."

Tamara Kinard, his mother, took the stand and described her son as a kind-hearted man who loved his family. Despite this, she said doesn't pretend to understand what happened that day.

"I want to apologize to the family; this is a tragedy for all," she said. "I'm so sorry."

Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Dacarrei Kinard sentenced to over a decade for fatal I-76 shooting