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Road rage matter turns deadly behind Ranch Market store in Phoenix

Sebastian Serrano is accused of fatally shooting a motorist during a road rage incident on Jan. 31.

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. 

RELATED: Phoenix road rage suspect caught on video by Valley Metro bus camera

RELATED: One person dead after road rage incident in Chandler

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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 

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