At roughly 1pm, on August 22nd, two drivers were involved in a dangerous road rage altercation. While driving on i-66, a 24 year old man identified as Daniel Serrano fired multiple shots at an unnamed driver. Soon thereafter Serrano was pulled over and taken into custody. He was charged on two felony counts, one for shooting into an occupied vehicle, and the other for the intent of malicious wounding. The unnamed driver was taken to the hospital for serious but not fatal wounds, and the victim was accompanied by a partner who was fortunately left uninjured. Both cars involved were identified as Hondas.
No one at the scene of the incident has spoken on the matter publicly. However, the state police spokeswoman, Corinne Geller, revealed some details of the case to the public, revealing the shooter’s motive for attacking the other driver, “At this stage of the investigation, it appears the adult male driver of a black Honda sedan threw an object at a white Honda sedan while the two vehicles were traveling east on I-66”. There have not been many other details shared about this event. However, it is known that the firearm used in the crime was recovered by state troopers, so Serrano is no longer in possession of a firearm.
Many locals have shared their two cents on the incident. One anonymous commenter on a local news website – InsideNova – said, “Another reason why we should rethink the second amendment. A nation where any moron can carry any firearm anywhere does not make for the safe and polite society that the NRA promised.” Many people who have commented on the story have expressed their belief that gun control should be stricter to prevent the rising amount of gun violence incidents. Specifically noting that the government should be doing a better job of shutting down illegal gun markets, where many offenders purchase their weapons.
This incident calls attention to two problems in today’s society; a lack of gun control, and the rise of road rage issues in Virginia, as seen by the rise in gun related deaths, and Virginia being rated the fourth worst state for road rage by Forbes Magazine. In order to decrease the amount of road rage related incidents, schools in Virginia could put more focus on educating future drivers about topics related to aggressive driving during drivers ed classes. For example, students should be taught how to recognize aggressive behaviors, how to handle dangerous on-the-road situations, and how to manage/regulate their own emotions while driving, in order for a safer society to develop. In conclusion, changes need to be made to address gun violence and road rage issues in order to prevent incidents like the recent i-66 shooting.
