texting and driving or changing the radio station to aggravated assault?

I get the empathy part, and I see no reason to make this man useless to society by some drawn out incarceration. That's a waste of everyone's time and resources.

But that comparison is not apt. He made a conscious decision to attempt to harm a group a of people. As it turns out, given that the injury was severe and he used a weapon - he earned himself a very nasty prize, consistent with his actions.