What to do if you encounter road rage: Expert weighs in after shooting

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A road rage incident on Midlothian Turnpike this past weekend left one man with a gunshot wound. Nearly a week later, Chesterfield police are still searching for the suspect.

"Incidents like these road rage stories that we hear about can spiral out of control very, very quickly," said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Morgan Dean.

Police said it happened just after 5 p.m. on Sept. 13, when the driver of a white Nissan Altima pulled up and fired a shot at another driver. It happened after the two cars were involved in a road rage incident near Sam’s Club and Wegmans in the 12200 block of Midlothian Turnpike.

Police said they arrived to find a man with a "non-life-threatening gunshot wound."

Dean said road rage incidents are far too common.

"When we start to look at road rage, it can be something as simple and as quick as screaming from one car to another and fist pounding on the dashboard," he said.

Investigators said the Nissan Altima was last seen continuing west down Midlothian Turnpike.

"The big issue is you never know what’s going on with another driver," Dean said. "You don’t know how far they’re willing to take it."

According to Dean, calling the police is always an option, but what else can you do if you encounter an angry driver?

“If you feel like this person is targeting you or following you, or trying to do something aggressively where they might be hitting your car or tailgating you, go to a public place,” he said.

He said it's also important to exercise caution if you're simply driving past two drivers involved in a road rage incident.

"Don’t try [to] intercede yourself and give yourself some space to get back away from it," Dean said.

Police said they are still searching for the driver of the white Nissan Altima, adding that the car was last seen traveling west onto Midlothian Turnpike.

As the investigation continues, Chesterfield County Police are asking anyone with more information on the incident to call 804-748-0660.