CHP: Fatal gunfight on Highway 74 began with hit-and-run incident

PINYON PINES, Calif. (KESQ) - A gunfight on Highway 74 near Pinyon Pines that ended with a 52-year-old man's death began with a hit-and-run incident, before a dispute in a road construction zone broke out, the California Highway Patrol said today.

The deadly shooting occurred just after 2 p.m. Tuesday on the two-lane corridor between the communities of Ribbonwood and Pinyon Pines, southwest of Palm Desert, according to the CHP.

At that time, CHP Indio Communications Center received reports of a three vehicle hit-and-run crash involving a 2018 Ram 5500 tow truck driven by Gabriel Rodriguez, 52, of Midway City in Orange County. Investigators believe Rodriguez struck multiple vehicles and then fled eastbound on State Route 74. 
At about 2:15 p.m., Rodriguez reached a construction zone near Palm Canyon Drive where crews were directing one-way traffic. CHP says after ignoring traffic control workers, Rodriguez confronted a pilot vehicle that was guiding about 30 vehicles through the active work area. 
According to the preliminary investigation from CHP, Rodriguez, armed with a shotgun, fired several rounds into the air before exiting his vehicle. CHP says he then approached the pilot vehicle and pointed the shotgun at the driver. 
According to the investigation, the pilot vehicle driver fired a handgun after fearing for his life and the safety of others nearby, striking Rodriguez. 
Emergency personnel transported Rodriguez to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. No uninvolved members of the public were injured during the incident. 
Detectives from the CHP Border Division Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over 
the investigation. Detectives continue to collect evidence, conduct interviews, and review the 
circumstances surrounding the shooting. 

The other individual involved in the shooting was initially taken into custody by Riverside County sheriff's deputies on suspicion of firearm assault, but he was released the same day after questioning.   

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation was asked to contact the CHP's Border Division Major Crimes Unit at 858-944-6300.