A man was taken to Jackson Medical Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center after a shooting incident on the Florida Turnpike, according to a release by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The incident occurred in the area of Northwest 199th Street around 2 p.m. Saturday.
According to FHP, the occupant of an unknown vehicle pulled up next to a black 2022 Genesis GV70 traveling south on the Turnpike and shot a firearm several times.
The victim sustained wounds to his face, arm and thigh.
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Once the victim’s vehicle was shot, the suspect continued south on the Turnpike, losing control and striking the guardrail on the right shoulder of the roadway, according to FHP.
The investigation continues and FHP has not identified the suspect or the vehicle he was driving.
Family members at Ryder Trauma Center tell NBC 6 that they were at a funeral when they heard the news of their loved one being shot.
The southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike were shutdown following the incident but have been cleared.
This incident is the latest act of violence on a South Florida highway. In December, NBC 6 investigators found highway shootings are on the rise.
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that in 2020 there were 35 in Broward County. In 2021, there were 46.
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In Miami-Dade County in 2020, FHP reported 55 highway shootings. In 2021 that number went up to 70.
"Do not engage anybody,” Yanko Reyes with FHP said. “It's not worth it."
On January 6, a man was shot and killed while driving on the Palmetto Expressway near 67th Avenue. Multiple suspects opened fire and followed him to a gas station.
In December, a man driving a Mercedes on the Turnpike near Griffin Road shot at a 26-year-old in a Nissan Altima. Troopers believe it was an act of road rage.
"The biggest need for a situation like this is people coming forward and helping us with information about who was involved," retired police Major Ignacio Alvarez said.
If you have info about any of these highway shootings call FHP at *347.
