Road Rage: Stabbings, Fights and Shootings
Monday, October 16, 2023
In Rhode Island and across the nation, incidents of road rage have led to fights, stabbings, the beating of an elderly woman, and multiple shootings and deaths.
In recent weeks in Rhode Island, there have been a number of violent episodes.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTJust weeks earlier, GoLocal obtained footage of the road rage incident in Warwick that led to the arrest of a Coventry man. SEE VIDEO ABOVE
The incident occurred on East Avenue when Peter Grossi of Coventry attacked a 19-year-old stopped at a red light.
Gross was arrested and charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct. SEE VIDEO ABOVE
Rhode Island Second Worst in America
A recent study published in Forbes ranked Rhode Island as the second most confrontational state.
The data was disturbing. According to the data, 57% of Rhode Islanders reported that they had experienced another driver exiting their vehicle to yell or fight with them.
Violence Across the Country this Week
Across the country, road rage has been responsible for about 300 deaths since 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In the past few days, there have been ugly road rage incidents across the country.
Portland, Oregon Shooting
A wealthy Portland businessman fatally gunned down a man Wednesday in the heat of a road rage battle — and then turned the weapon on a bystander -- a tourist who videoed the murder.
Geoffrey E. Hammond, 46, was caught on video pointing the firearm at Samuel Gomez, who was visiting the city for an architectural conference. Hammond shot both Gomez and the other victim Ryan Martin, who was lying dead on the street.
Hammond allegedly fired two shots at Gomez, striking him once in the leg before peeling out.
“He got the gun loaded and he just straight looked at me and then, as you can see in the picture, just popped me,” Gomez told The Oregonian.
Leesburg, VA - Road Rage Hit and Run
ABC 7 Reports, "The Leesburg Police Department is searching for a driver in relation to a road rage and felony hit-and-run incident that occurred Saturday afternoon.
Around 4 p.m., police warned residents of an increased law enforcement presence in the area of Heritage High School after officers reportedly attempted to stop a car. Pablo Enrique Orellana-Flores, the driver of the white 2-door Chevrolet Camaro that police tried to stop, was involved in a road rage and felony hit-and-run incident before fleeing from the officers."
Irving, CA Elder Abuse
According to a social media post by the police department in Irving on Sunday, an 81-year-old lady was walking her dog in a residential area near Scholarship and Dupont. As she crossed the street, the dog stopped to relieve herself.
A driver approaching the lady got upset that she was in the road and yelled at her as he drove by. After the two exchanged words, the man stopped, exited his car, and pushed the lady to the ground. When the victim fell, she sustained multiple injuries, including a fractured arm and dislocated shoulder.
Nearby residents immediately helped the lady, and one resident took photos of the suspect's vehicle.
"We were very thankful to witnesses who provided information and evidence that led to the arrest of Matthew Christopher Tye, 47, on Tuesday. He was booked at Orange County Jail on felony elder abuse and felony battery charges," said the Irvine Police Department in their post.
