Great police work by our officers and dispatch solving a road rage case safely.
On Sunday, September 12, 2021 around 8:54 PM a victim called and reported having been shot at while driving on Waterman Blvd at Hilborn Road.
The victim reported driving on I-80 when a dark colored SUV with a license plate starting with "8" was driving in a dangerous manner near the victims vehicle.
The suspect followed the victim off the freeway onto Waterman Blvd. To avoid a confrontation, the victim began to make a right turn when a loud bang was heard, and the victim thought maybe the suspect had shot at their vehicle.
Upon arrival at home, the victim discovered a bullet had gone through the driver side door and lodged into the steering wheel.
Dispatch advised officers of an earlier road rage incident with a similar vehicle description, where the reporting party had also given dispatch the full license plate, which started with an "8".
Officers were able to enter the suspect’s vehicle description and license plate information into our City FLOCK camera system.
During further investigation, officers located the vehicle parked in the 900 block of Beck Avenue.
Officer Graham and Officer Parodi developed a plan to safely take the subject into custody who was sleeping in the vehicle.
Using our rescue “the bearcat” vehicle and planning, the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
A Glock pistol was seen in plain view inside the back seat area of the vehicle. During further investigation officers also found a spent casing. The suspect, 45-year-old Marcial Pineda of Fairfield was arrested and booked into the Solano County Jail on several felony charges.
Just as this victim did follow these safety tips:
Staying safe on the road is about more than just driving skills and road conditions. Road rage is an all-too-common event, but there are steps you can take to avoid playing a role.
- Practice polite driving habits: Avoid tailgating, cutting off other vehicles, speeding, weaving, leaving high beam headlights on, and erratic braking. Don’t drive in the left lane slower than the rest of traffic. Merge politely, and always err on the side of being courteous. This is smart to do not just to avoid road rage, but to make driving easier and more pleasant for every motorist.
- Slow down: Simply let aggressive drivers go around you and typically, they will quickly be on their way.
- Get away from aggressive drivers: If you notice a driver with aggressive behavior, get some distance between you, whether you slow down and let them get ahead or change lanes so you’re not right next to each other.
- Don’t make rude gestures or yell at other drivers: Remember, you’re not the police, and it’s not your job to remind others how to drive, even if they’re doing a terrible job. Avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver who is trying to pick a fight.
- Use your horn sparingly: Horns should primarily be used in emergency situations. Tap your horn lightly if you need to get a driver’s attention, and give drivers ahead of you at lights a few extra seconds of grace before honking to remind them to move through the intersection.
- Call 911 if you’re under attack: If an aggressive driver attacks you, call 911 right away and stay on the phone with the dispatcher. Consider driving to the nearest police station, convenience store, or other public location with witnesses. Do not drive home.
