Two people were shot to death within days of each other in
two separate shootings in Wake County traffic.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating whether road
rage played a role in either incident.
According to a 2024
Pew Research study, 63% of American adults say people drive aggressively in
their communities.
The study also found that 45% of Americans say they see
people displaying road rage sometimes. Another 20% say they encounter the
behavior very often.
On
Knightdale Boulevard, 39-year-old Corey Hansen was shot. He later died in
the hospital.
On
U.S. 64 near Lizard Lick Road, 55-year-old Derick Godwin was shot. He died
at the hospital.
While the deputies have identified the shooters in both incidents,
no one has been charged.
“We are committed to conducting thorough and accurate
investigations over speed,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a statement. “Deputies
are currently reviewing all evidence and having discussions with the Wake
County District Attorney’s Office.”
Lee Turner is an attorney and has previous experience in law
enforcement. From an investigative standpoint, WRAL asked him why deputies have
not made arrests despite identifying the shooters.
“They’re looking at the conduct of the person who’s deceased
or injured and comparing that with the conduct of the other party and
determining if there was a self-defense issue there,” he said. “Even in
self-defense cases, you have to use force that’s reasonable. If it’s a fist
fight and you pull a gun out, that’s not considered reasonable.”
A
fast-food run turned in a shooting in Raleigh last week. A young man was injured
in the shooting. Raleigh Police say the other driver fled the scene.
A 5-year-old girl is learning to walk again after a road
rage incident
in June.
California is the only state in the country with a specific
road rage law for drivers who use their vehicles to assault another driver.
“When you’re dealing with a situation where you have
vehicles and people exposing guns, pointing guns, firing into other cars, there
are all kinds of laws that apply: simply laws of assault, assault with a deadly
weapon, assault by pointing a firearm,” Turner explained.
Here’s what AAA recommends if you ever encounter an aggressive
driver:
·
Avoid eye contact or any further engagement
·
Put distance between yourself and the other
driver
·
Call police if feel like you’re in danger
