'Road Rage' Shooting On 15 Freeway: Menifee Man Arrested

MENIFEE, CA — A 52-year-old Menifee motorist suspected of shooting another driver during a road rage confrontation on Interstate 15 in Eastvale was being held without bail Monday.

Carlos Leonardo Castro Martinez was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside on Saturday on suspicion of attempted murder, firearm assault and reckless gunfire for the alleged attack a day earlier.

According to the California Highway Patrol, about 5:10 p.m. Friday, Martinez was driving his Mercedes Benz E320 southbound on I-15 when he became engaged in a conflict with the driver of a Scion XB.

The specific reason for the dispute wasn't disclosed, but CHP Officer Javier Navarro alleged that Martinez pulled a handgun and "shot the driver of the Scion."

"Martinez then fled the scene southbound to westbound state Route 60," Navarro said.

The wounded driver, whose identity was not released, was able to exit the freeway and obtain assistance. He is recovering from the gunshot wound.

Navarro said that CHP investigators were able to procure the license plate of the Mercedes within a few hours, obtaining a search warrant, which was served at the vehicle owner's — Martinez's — residence on Cypress Place about 1 a.m. Saturday.

"During the search of the residence and vehicle, investigators located evidence and the firearm believed to be used by Martinez during the shooting," the CHP spokesman said.

Capt. Levi Miller, commander of the agency' Riverside office, said that the CHP "takes aggressive driving and road rage seriously and will actively investigate these incidents."

Background information on Martinez was unavailable.

The case is expected to be submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for review Tuesday.

Anyone with information about the alleged attack was asked to contact the CHP at 951-637-8000.