A young woman in Arizona lost her life in a tragic road rage shooting. The fatal incident took place overnight near Interstate 10 and the 91st Avenue off-ramp. According to police, the victim was a passenger in a vehicle who was shot by someone driving another vehicle. She was identified by authorities as 18-year-old Brittany E. Gutierrez-Bugarin. Despite being quickly transported to the hospital, she succumbed to her injuries. The shooter fled from the scene and is still at large.
Gutierrez-Bugarin’s family described her as a “bright light” and expressed their devastation over the loss. Her boyfriend, who was driving at the time of the incident, immediately called 911 in an attempt to save her life. The family has set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is actively investigating the incident and has appealed to the public for any information that may aid in identifying the shooter. DPS officials have released a description of the suspect’s vehicle, a silver or gray Chrysler 200 believed to be from around the 2010 model year. No further details about the shooter or their motive have been disclosed.
As a result of the investigation, traffic restrictions and closures were implemented along I-10 near 75th Avenue, leading to significant morning commute delays. The authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to contact 1-877-4AZ-TIPS.
In the wake of this tragic event, road safety experts are emphasizing the importance of staying inside your vehicle during road rage incidents. Howard Munding, owner of Peoria Championship Martial Arts, advises drivers to avoid escalating the situation by not engaging with aggressive drivers. Instead, he suggests taking a photo of the person or installing a dash camera to capture any incidents. If being pursued, Munding advises drivers to slow down, change lanes, and take a different route to avoid confrontation.