Carissa Hutchinson, KSL TV
As a Salt Lake Metropolis man recovers after being shot whereas driving final week throughout a street rage dispute, his spouse says the household has discovered the onerous method the risks of street rage and he or she needs others to keep away from making the identical mistake.
On the night of April 5, 37-year-old Carlos Martinez, who works as a foreman, was leaving a job website in Salt Lake Metropolis's Sugar Home neighborhood. He drove towards Costco at 1818 S. 300 West, planning to cease for fuel earlier than heading residence.
His spouse, Sapphire Martinez, mentioned the motive force in entrance of her husband stored slamming on his or her brakes. Carlos Martinez went to drive across the different automotive — a grey Lexus with tinted home windows — and flipped off the motive force.
The Lexus driver then adopted Martinez off the I-15 exit ramp at 1300 South towards Costco, with each drivers turning north onto 300 West. Martinez mentioned the motive force began throwing water bottles at him, and so Martinez tried to change lanes to get away from her or him.
Police haven't recognized the opposite driver.
Close to the intersection of 1967 South and 300 West, throughout from the Residence Depot, the Lexus driver fired 4 gunshots at Martinez.
"In all that commotion … it went from water bottles to being shot," Sapphire Martinez mentioned.
One bullet shattered a bone in Carlos Martinez's proper arm, requiring reconstructive surgical procedure and leaving him with no mobility in that arm. One other bullet hit an artery in his left arm, leaving him with restricted mobility.
Recovering will take at the very least a few months, Sapphire Martinez mentioned, throughout which era the household's major breadwinner is out of labor.
"We're simply taking restoration at some point at a time," she mentioned. "It is a battle (for Carlos) attempting to should learn to do every part once more, and slowly."
Sapphire Martinez mentioned her husband needs different drivers to know that street rage is not price it since you by no means know what frame of mind different drivers round you're in.
"It is at all times higher to simply let it go. He seems like if he may simply go take it again … he would by no means have even bothered to flip him off," Sapphire Martinez mentioned. "He simply needs to warn folks: When you're annoyed or irritated along with your day, it isn't price probably shedding your life or being within the scenario he is in. It is at all times higher to simply come residence."
Ongoing investigation
Sapphire Martinez requested the general public for assist in contributing any data they've in regards to the taking pictures.
She mentioned the police investigation is ongoing, and officers have little or no details about the automotive or the motive force due to the tinted home windows. The incident occurred at a busy intersection, and police are asking witnesses to report any particulars by calling 801-799-3000.
In a press release, Salt Lake police mentioned street rage studies are unusual in Salt Lake Metropolis, however after they do occur witnesses ought to name 911 to share as a lot data as attainable.
Police additionally reminded neighborhood members to remain calm, name 911, and drive to a secure location corresponding to a police station in the event that they encounter aggressive drivers.