A Florida resident has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following a suspected road rage shooting that left a truck driver seriously injured on the New Jersey Turnpike, officials confirmed.
The incident took place Friday morning at approximately 10:15 a.m. on the southbound outer roadway near mile marker 86 in Edison Township, Middlesex County, according to the New Jersey State Police.
Investigators say a man driving a tractor-trailer opened fire on a nearby box truck, striking the driver in the abdomen. A bullet was reportedly fired through the truck’s front door before the tractor-trailer sped away from the scene.
The victim was transported to a hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
Through coordinated investigative efforts, authorities were able to trace the suspect vehicle to Virginia. Troopers located and arrested the alleged gunman, identified as 32-year-old Eiver Espinosa Rodriguez of Homestead, Florida, along Interstate 295 in Petersburg.
Rodriguez is currently awaiting extradition to New Jersey. He is facing several serious charges, including attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of falsified government documents, and obstruction of justice.
At this time, it is unclear if Rodriguez has retained legal counsel.
The New Jersey State Police are encouraging anyone who witnessed the shooting or events leading up to it to contact detectives at the Troop “D” Cranbury Station by calling 609-860-9000, extension 4423.
Just another day for Rodriguez, bye boy 👋