A workplace dispute last week spilled onto the streets of Hollister in the form of a violent road rage incident, and authorities arrested one of the drivers on suspicion of attempted murder.
On June 10, Hollister Police responded to the area of 491 Tres Pinos Road, where the former Kmart building is located. Reports indicated a road rage incident had taken place involving a Chevrolet Tahoe and Honda Civic, Hollister PD officials said in a press release.
Witnesses said the Tahoe had been driving recklessly through town, with 49-year-old Roxanne Quezada in the driver’s seat, says the press release. During the incident, the Tahoe had collided with a tree and another vehicle before officers arrived.
Investigators determined Quezada had followed the victims into the parking lot and drove recklessly and aggressively around the Civic, police said. After circling the Civic, the Tahoe driver intentionally accelerated into the driver’s side doors of the Honda.
The Honda driver was seated in the driver’s seat when the collision happened and did not have time to avoid impact, but suffered only minor injuries, police said.
“The force of the collision caused significant danger to the victim, who absorbed the full impact of the crash,” police said in the press release. “Given the size and weight disparity between the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Honda Civic, the intentional use of the Tahoe as a weapon created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death.”
The Tahoe fled the scene before officers arrived. Police said they identified Quezada as the driver. Investigators also learned that Quezada and the occupants of the Civic were acquainted through a work-related matter and had been involved in an ongoing dispute earlier that day.
Officers responded to Quezada’s residence, where they saw her standing near the damaged Tahoe parked in the driveway. Police said she immediately retreated into her home when she saw police officers approach.
Police seized the Tahoe as evidence and towed it away as evidence, authorities said. Quezada eventually exited the home before officers left, and she was arrested. The victims positively identified her from the road rage collision.
Quezada was booked at San Benito County Jail on suspicion of attempted homicide, police said.
“Fortunately, despite the violent nature of the attack and the significant potential for catastrophic injury, the victims sustained only minor injuries,” says the press release. “Investigators believe the outcome could have been far more serious, and they are grateful that no one was critically injured or killed as a result of this incident.”
The Hollister PD statement continues, “The Hollister Police Department takes acts of violence involving motor vehicles extremely seriously. Intentionally using a vehicle to strike another occupied vehicle places victims, bystanders and the community at significant risk and will be investigated and we will seek the prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
