A violent road rage encounter in Louisiana ended with tragedy and a miracle after doctors saved the baby of a pregnant teenager who was shot in the head.
According to the local CBS affiliate, KNOE News, authorities say the shooting happened Sunday morning on North Hoover Road near Ponchatoula, when 54-year-old Barry West of Tickfaw allegedly fired into a Ford Expedition carrying a 17-year-old expectant mother and two others.
According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the vehicles had been engaged in aggressive driving before West pulled the trigger.
The teenager, who was seven months pregnant, was struck in the head while seated in the front passenger seat. The driver rushed her to a nearby hospital, where doctors performed an emergency C-section.
The infant is now stable in a neonatal intensive care unit, while the young mother remains hospitalized in critical condition.
West initially told deputies he believed shots had been fired at him from inside the SUV, but investigators found no evidence to support that claim. No weapons were recovered from the victims’ vehicle, and officials confirmed no other gunfire was reported.
West was arrested and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on four counts of attempted second-degree murder, as well as charges for illegal use of a weapon and obstruction of justice. Authorities said the charges could be upgraded if the teen’s condition worsens.
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker urged drivers to exercise patience, noting the incident reflects how quickly aggression behind the wheel can turn deadly.
“This is a senseless tragedy … with no logical reason for this family to be experiencing this heartbreak right now,” Sticker said. “If there is a concern for your safety, call 911 and report the concern.”
The case underscores Louisiana’s growing struggles with road rage and gun violence. According to Consumer Affairs, the state ranks as the worst in the nation for aggressive driving, with nearly 60% of its traffic fatalities in 2023 linked to reckless or hostile behavior on the road.