Memphis Woman Shot Driving on I-240
Memphis, Tenn. — An unfortunate incident unfolded on Tuesday evening when a woman was shot in the neck while driving along Interstate 240 near Poplar Avenue. This shocking event occurred around 5:35 p.m., leaving many in our community concerned about safety on the roads.
The Incident
According to reports from the Memphis Police, they received a call regarding an aggravated assault involving firearms being discharged. An off-duty lieutenant, who was on the scene, reported that her friend had been shot and had the bravery to drive herself to St. Francis Park Hospital for treatment. That’s a tough situation to face, and it speaks to the woman’s strength!
Once officers arrived at the hospital, they learned more about what happened. The victim explained that while she was driving southbound on I-240 West, she was in the third lane when a dark gray Dodge Charger zoomed past her in the second lane. It was in that moment that a terrifying turn of events occurred—shots were fired from the Dodge Charger towards another vehicle in the fourth lane. The backseat passenger of the Charger was reportedly aiming an assault rifle, trying to hit the other car when they accidentally shot at the victim.
To make matters worse, the passenger opened fire and let off three shots. Sadly, one of those bullets struck the victim, piercing through her front windshield on the left side while she was innocently driving. Can you imagine the panic she must have felt when she realized she was hit?
A Quick Drive to Safety
Realizing she had been injured, the brave woman managed to exit onto Poplar Avenue and made her way directly to the emergency room at St. Francis Park. Thanks to her quick thinking, she arrived and received medical attention efficiently. Doctors later confirmed that she sustained a flesh wound to the left side of her neck. Fortunately, her injury was classified as non-critical, and she was then transferred to Regional One Hospital for further care.
Investigation Underway
As the sun began to set, Memphis Police took swift action to close the interstate around 7 p.m. in order to thoroughly investigate the shooting. A number of shell casings were discovered along I-240 West, a grim reminder of the incident. The police are currently following leads to identify the shooter and determine the motive for such reckless behavior.
Gun Violence Statistics
In a related note, it raises some important questions about road safety in Memphis. This year has already seen 74 interstate shootings, only slightly down from last year’s total of 81. While it’s a small decrease, it still highlights ongoing issues regarding gun violence in our community that we must address. The safety of our roads should never be compromised, and it’s crucial to stay vigilant.
Moving Forward
As investigations continue, our thoughts are with the victim as she recovers from this harrowing event. The community hopes that swift action can lead to justice, ensuring that events like this one do not happen again.
For everyone out there, it’s a stark reminder to stay alert while driving. While we can’t always predict the actions of others, we can certainly do our part to stay safe and informed.
