Freeway Traffic Dispute
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – A 54-year-old man who shot a motorist during a road rage confrontation on Interstate 15 in Eastvale was bound for state prison Thursday to serve a 25-year term after pleading guilty to attempted murder and other charges.
Carlos Leonardo Castro Martinez of Menifee admitted the felony count, along with a sentence-enhancing gun use allegation, under a plea agreement negotiated with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for his admissions, prosecutors dropped five related counts against Martinez.
The bargain was announced at the outset of a preliminary hearing Wednesday before Superior Court Judge Gary Polk at the Riverside Hall of Justice. The judge certified the terms of the plea deal and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
According to the California Highway Patrol, shortly after 5 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2002, Martinez was driving his Mercedes Benz E320 southbound on I-15 when he was involved in a conflict with the driver of a Scion XB, identified in court documents as Erick Garcia.
The specific reason for the dispute wasn’t disclosed, but CHP Officer Javier Navarro said Martinez pulled a handgun and “shot the driver of the Scion.”
“Martinez then fled the scene southbound I-15 to westbound state Route 60,” Navarro said.
Court documents indicated a boy, identified only as “A.C.,” was in Martinez’s vehicle at the time, but the minor was not injured.
Garcia was able to exit the freeway and obtain assistance. He has since recovered from the gunshot wound.
Navarro said CHP investigators were able to procure the license plate of the Mercedes a few hours later, after which they obtained a search warrant and served it at the vehicle owner’s — Martinez’s — residence on Cypress Place.
“During the search of the residence and vehicle, investigators located evidence and the firearm … used by Martinez during the shooting,” the CHP spokesman said.
Martinez had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
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