IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — A Mooresville man is in serious condition after he was shot in a road rage incident Sunday morning, deputies said.
According to the Iredell County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the 700 block of Cornelius Road a little before noon in response to a shooting. When deputies arrived, they found Brian Keith Ludwick suffering from a gunshot to the abdomen.
Witnesses told deputies the shooting stemmed from a road rage situation involving Ludwick. Deputies say Ludwick was driving on Fern Hill Road in a Ford Explorer when he passed a slower-moving car, who began tailgating Ludwick's SUV.
The suspect followed Ludwick onto Perth Road, and then onto Judas Road. When Ludwick stopped at the intersection of Judas and Cornelius roads, deputies said the suspect threw something at his SUV. Ludwick followed the suspect onto Cornelius Road before they pulled into a driveway.
When Ludwick got out of his SUV, deputies say the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot him before speeding away onto Judas Road. The suspect's vehicle was described as a newer silver or grey model "Nissan Sentra" styled car. The suspect is described as a white male with brown hair and slight facial hair, and was wearing sunglasses with orange reflective tint.
Ludwick was rushed to Atrium Health for emergency surgery. He is in serious condition, according to police. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Iredell County Sheriff's Office at 704-878-3180.
Tiffany Wright, AAA Carolina spokesperson, said drivers can turn minor frustrations into major road range incidents.
"What we’re seeing now, people are getting out of their cars, and it’s turning into, we’re even seeing things where it can turn into a fatality,” Wright said.
These types of incidents are preventable if drivers will practice some patience, according to Wright.
“This could all be prevented if people just take a deep breath and realize, 'Hey, it’s nothing personal,'” Wright said. “You don’t know what kind of day that person’s having, and let those minor frustrations go away.”
AAA recommends the following tips if confronted on the road:
- Avoid eye contact with angry drivers.
- Don’t respond to aggression with aggression.
- If you feel you are at risk, drive to a public place such as a police station, hospital or fire station.
- When you park, allow room so you can pull out safely if someone approaches you aggressively.
- Use your horn to attract attention but remain in your locked vehicle.
- If you are confronted, stay as calm and courteous as possible.
- If you feel threatened, call 911.