SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A driver suspected of opening fire during a road rage-related incident on Interstate 15 in the North County was arrested after a brief pursuit Monday morning.
According to the California Highway Patrol, at around 5:50 a.m., officers responded to reports of shots were fired on southbound I-15 near Rainbow Valley Road.
CHP officials said a person inside a silver Mercedes coupe is believed to have fired at least one gunshot at a blue Dodge Ram. The Ram’s 57-year-old driver, a Murrieta resident, suffered minor injuries from broken glass.
Officers spotted the Mercedes a short time later and attempted to make contact, but the vehicle drove off, prompting a brief pursuit.
When the Mercedes tried to exit at Via Rancho Parkway in Escondido, it crashed into a Mini Cooper and then overturned and struck a barrier.
The Mini Cooper’s 59-year-old driver was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The Mercedes’ driver fled the wreckage but was eventually spotted by CHP officers and a K-9 and arrested. The driver was identified as a 28-year-old man from Rialto.
The CHP said two passengers were in the Mercedes at the time of the incident -- a 34-year-old man from Highland, Calif. and a 26-year-old man from Ontario, Calif.
According to the CHP, a loaded gun was found in the Mercedes.
The CHP said of the Mercedes’ driver: “He is facing felony charges related to this incident, including felony evading of a police officer, felony hit and run, possession of burglary tools, possession of narcotics and felony assault with a deadly weapon.”
There is no word on what charges, if any, the passengers may face.
The CHP is investigating the circumstances that prompted the gunfire.
