PHOENIX — A 20-year-old Phoenix man was arrested Friday on suspicion of killing a motorist behind a Ranch Market store near Roosevelt and 16th streets.
Sebastian Serrano is accused of murdering 31-year-old Joshua Hernandez Jr. on Jan. 31 during a road rage incident in central Phoenix, police said.
Serrano was allegedly a passenger in a car that was following the victim's vehicle. Once the victim parked behind Ranch Market and exited their car, Serrano allegedly fired nine gunshots toward Hernandez, police records show.
Serrano told police another passenger in his car encouraged him to shoot the victim.
Serrano was taken into custody and booked into jail on a charge of first-degree murder, court records show.
Hernandez's death is one of several road rage incidents in the Valley that have turned deadly over the last year.
Most recently, a 16-year-old was killed last month in a road rage shooting near 43rd Avenue and Vineyard Road.
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Deaths on Arizona roadways:
Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that roadway fatalities have been gradually rising in Arizona over the last decade:
2011: 825 deaths
2012: 821 deaths
2013: 844 deaths
2014: 774 deaths
2015: 895 deaths
2016: 952 deaths
2017: 1,000 deaths
2018: 1,010 deaths
2019: 982 deaths
2020: 1,057 deaths
Driving Safety Tips:
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) offers driving tips to help keep people safe on the road.
"There’s always room for improvement when it comes to road safety," the department said on its website.
ADOT's suggestions include:
Don’t speed or drive aggressively
Never drive while under the influence of substances
Avoid distractions while driving
Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers are doing the same
When an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, move over
Stay extra aware in work zones
Be prepared for weather conditions that make driving dangerous