Two people escaped serious injury Saturday evening after a gunman opened fire on their vehicle, striking a tire and causing their car to roll over on Interstate 17 near Pinnacle Peak Road.
The incident began around 6:50 p.m. near I-17 and Peoria Avenue when a driver in one vehicle fired shots at another car. Phoenix police say the shooter continued pursuing the victims onto the northbound freeway, firing multiple rounds.
Table of Contents
The Attack
One bullet hit the victims’ tire. The driver lost control and the vehicle rolled over near the Pinnacle Peak Road exit. Both occupants suffered minor injuries. Firefighters evaluated them at the scene. Neither required hospital transport.
The shooter fled before officers arrived.
Phoenix police and the Arizona Department of Public Safety shut down northbound I-17 at Pinnacle Peak Road for the investigation. The closure lasted more than two hours. Lanes reopened at 9:15 p.m., but traffic remained heavy through the area for another hour.
Investigation Status
Detectives have not released a description of the suspect’s vehicle. Investigators spent Saturday night processing the crash scene and collecting evidence from both the initial shooting location and the rollover site.
Phoenix police are asking anyone who was driving on I-17 between Peoria Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road between 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. Saturday to review their dashcam footage. Witnesses can contact Phoenix Police Department traffic investigators or submit tips anonymously through Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
Pattern of Violence
Saturday’s shooting marks the latest violent incident on Phoenix-area freeways. While searches for fatal crashes on I-17 spiked over the weekend, this particular collision did not result in any deaths.
However, the deliberate nature of the attack has intensified concerns about highway safety. Just days earlier, on January 15, a pedestrian was killed on Deer Valley Road near 26th Avenue, west of I-17. That victim, identified as 50-year-old Jennifer Stitt, died after stepping into traffic shortly before 6 a.m.
What Drivers Should Do
Arizona law enforcement officials stress that drivers should never engage with aggressive motorists. If threatened or followed:
- Call 911 immediately
- Drive to a police station or well-lit public area
- Note the vehicle description and license plate
- Do not stop or attempt to confront the other driver
Phoenix police say they’re reviewing surveillance footage from businesses near I-17 and Peoria Avenue. Investigators believe the shooting may have started as a traffic dispute that escalated.
The case remains under active investigation. DPS is assisting Phoenix police with the highway portion of the incident. Charges are pending once the suspect is identified and located.
Anyone with information about Saturday evening’s shooting and crash should contact authorities immediately. Police emphasize that even small details about the suspect vehicle or driver could prove critical to the investigation.
