Road Rage escalates: Man Allegedly Shoots Female Driver After Honking Incident, Say Police
PHOENIX, AZ – A 20-year-old man has been indicted on multiple felony charges after allegedly shooting a female driver on October 11th near Peoria Avenue and Loop 101 in Arizona, authorities announced. Rudy R. Sanchez Jr. is accused of firing a shot into the woman’s vehicle after she honked her horn at him, claiming he felt “disrespected” when she passed him in traffic.
According to a news release from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Sanchez has been charged with one count each of drive-by shooting and discharging a firearm into a structure, along with two counts of aggravated assault.
The incident began when the victim was stopped behind Sanchez’s BMW at a red light. after the light turned green and Sanchez reportedly did not proceed, the victim honked her horn. She then changed lanes and drove past him. Sanchez allegedly pulled alongside her, yelling profanities and demanding, “What do you want me to do?” When the woman responded, “You were going too slow,” and looked away, Sanchez is accused of firing a shot through her car door, striking her in the left leg. He then fled the scene.
Police say the gunshot “severely shattered” the victim’s femur, requiring surgical repair with a metal rod. Medical experts have indicated she could perhaps lose her left leg.
Following an investigation, Peoria SWAT and the Criminal investigation Division located Sanchez’s vehicle at an apartment complex near 47th Street and McDowell road in Phoenix on October 15th. He was arrested without incident at approximately 5:34 a.m. as he entered his car.
A 9 mm handgun was reportedly found in Sanchez’s possession, and a spent 9mm cartridge casing was recovered from inside his BMW.
According to the arrest report, Sanchez made an unsolicited admission to a detective while awaiting transport. He allegedly stated, “Do you want to know why I did it?” and then explained he shot the woman because he felt disrespected and was angry she hadn’t apologized for cutting him off.
Sanchez is currently held in the Maricopa County Jail on a $250,000 cash-only bond. A trial is scheduled for February 26, 2026.
