Drivers Had Cut Each Other Off Before Freeway Attack, CHP Says

PLACENTIA —  A motorist told investigators she and another driver cut each other off before she was shot in the head with an air pellet in what investigators are calling a “road rage” incident.

The victim, who asked that police not release her identity, escaped serious injury in the Sunday shooting. Doctors removed the pellet from her forehead and she was released from UCI Medical Center Monday afternoon, according to medical center spokeswoman Kim Pine.

A witness told officials she watched as the victim’s gray Buick and a white Honda CRX cut each other off while driving onto the Riverside Freeway at the Placentia Avenue onramp. The witness then saw the shooter waving a weapon in the victim’s direction, although it remains unclear whether the driver or a passenger was responsible, said CHP Officer Mike Lundquist.

Lundquist added that the victim told police that her attacker had cut her off before she accelerated in front of him just moments before the shooting.

CHP spokeswoman Karen Bowen said investigators are searching for any other witnesses and are asking for the public’s help in locating the Honda’s driver or any of its passengers, who could face charges of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.

“‘This happened on a Sunday afternoon when we usually have a lot of traffic,” said Bowen. “We’re hoping that people will come forward.”

CHP investigators can be reached at (714) 223-5454.

Investigators are considering Sunday’s attack an isolated “road rage” incident, unrelated to several shootings that have taken place in recent weeks on Orange County’s freeways, including one that killed a Long Beach woman driving through Seal Beach.

“The victim didn’t recognize the suspect so we don’t have reason to believe it’s something other than an altercation,” Bowen said of Sunday’s shooting. “Possibly from going too close, possibly from cutting off the vehicle,” added Bowen.

As investigators seek out leads, law enforcement officials continue to search for assailants in several similar incidents that occurred last month.

Two white motorists shouted out a racial slur and shot six bullets at an African American driver on Feb. 14. The 26-year-old victim, who had been driving alone on Los Alisos Boulevard in Mission Viejo, suffered a graze wound to the ribs.

The next day, motorists Melody Spicer, 47, and Helena Joyce Dobiesz, 55, were shot in separate incidents.

Spicer was shot in the back while traveling south from the San Gabriel River Freeway to the Artesia Freeway. She was treated at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and asked the hospital that details of her condition not be released.

Dobiesz, driving north on the San Diego Freeway in Seal Beach received a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

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Highway Shooting

After entering the Riverside Freeway at Placentia Avenue, a woman was shot in the head by someone in a white Honda CRX. The shooter has not been caught. How the incident occurred, according to a witness:

1. Witness is driving east on Riverside Freeway; sees two cars enter at Placentia Avenue

2. Buick, driven by victim, passes on right side of Honda CRX

3. Witness sees handgun held outside Honda’s front passenger window

4. Both victim and witness exit to Orange Freeway; victim travels north, witness south; moments later, police receive 911 call about shooting from victim. Witness flags down a CHP officer.

Safe Passage

How to avoid road rage situations:

Give yourself plenty of travel time; the less speeding you do, the better.

Don’t view commute as competitive event; use time to listen to audio books or radio.

Treat other drivers with courtesy, allowing others to change lanes freely

Stay aware of what is going on in vehicles around you

Don’t make eye contact with someone who is harassing you; if you have a cellular phone, dial 911 or drive to nearest police station for help.

Sources: California Highway Patrol, Times reports; Researched by VALERIE BURGHER / For The Times