The California Highway Patrol arrested a Coalinga man Friday after a freeway shooting injured a woman traveling with another adult and a 7-year-old child on a San Diego transition ramp, according to East County Magazine.

The CHP said the July 9 incident happened around 8:37 p.m. as a black 2025 Ford Explorer traveled from eastbound State Route 52 to southbound Interstate 15 and became involved in a lane dispute with the driver of a gray Volkswagen Passat. The agency said the driver of the Volkswagen fired into the Ford Explorer, striking the driver, who was taken to a local hospital.

Detectives with the CHP Border Division Major Crimes Unit arrested Zian Wayne Aldrich, 27, of Coalinga, the following day. He was booked on three counts of attempted murder and a weapons-related charge, according to the report.

For Santee commuters, SR-52 and I-15 are key regional connections, and the incident underscores the risk of escalating freeway confrontations. CHP advises drivers confronted by a dangerous driver to create distance, avoid eye contact or confrontation, call 911 when safe and note the vehicle description, license plate, direction of travel and location if possible.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the CHP Border Division Major Crimes Unit at (858) 944-6300. Source: East County Magazine.