Like many Austin residents, Jerry Wiggins drives on Interstate 35 frequently.
But a drive along the state capital's busiest freeway last month proved to be a scary experience for Wiggins, according to a report from Austin NBC affiliate KXAN.
Wiggins recalled to the station how a wayward motorist deliberately struck his vehicle from behind.
“The driver decided to go by me and I thought he was going to pass me,” he told KXAN. “Instead of passing me, he takes the front of his car and he rams it into the back right rear of my car.”
According to the station, Wiggins called police and the male driver who hit him was eventually ticketed for reckless driving.
Wiggins' ordeal is part of what authorities assert is an increase in road rage incidents in Austin, KXAN reported.
“With increased traffic, we are seeing more incidents of people being more aggressive on the road,” Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Sergeant Deon Cockrell told the station.
KXAN reported that the Austin police are looking for a motorist who is alleged to have acted on a fit of road rage on the city's MoPac Expressway in March.
Authorities released video footage on Monday (May 9) in hopes the public could help in the investigation.
Another Austin-area resident told KXAN that a driver on Saturday (May 7) shot at his son and two grandsons in Georgetown.
“The bullet actually went through the passenger side rear door, right basically where my 2-year-old grandson was," the individual identified by his first name recounted to the station.
KXAN reported that the incident resulted in no injuries and is being investigated by the Georgetown Police Department (GPD).
As for Wiggins, he hopes authorities properly address road rage.
“I want to see the police department and district attorney’s office move forward and try to get these people off of the streets,” he told the station. “One day it may not be me, then who will be the next victim?”
DPS recommends anyone who experiences a road rage incident to make note of the the make, model and license plate before calling 911, KXAN reported.