Text messaging may have triggered Salt Lake freeway shooting

Text messaging may have triggered a freeway shooting Friday night that left one man in critical condition.

A teenage passenger who was riding with the shooting victim told police his friend was texting as he drove on the I-15 southbound collector near 2100 South.

"The driver was text messaging and not paying the attention he should have to the road," said Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Nigbur.

Police say a black two-door sports car approached the victim's vehicle from the driver's side and an occupant fired at least one shot at the driver. The man was hit in the left armpit and critically injured, but he was able to safely pull the car over to the side of the road. He was flown to Intermountain Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.

Police are still trying to determine if occupants in the two vehicles knew each other prior to the confrontation, Nigbur said. The teenage passenger told police he believed it was a case of road rage.

"Road rage happens every day," Nigbur said. "People get upset when they are cut off and running late. It's unfortunate it happens, but shootings are typically rare."

Police encourage anyone with information about the shooting to call 801-887-3800.

E-MAIL: cnorlen@desnews.com