A tragic case of road rage has left a mother dead and her 3-year-old child injured, authorities report.
Police are calling the incident a “classic case” of reckless anger spiraling out of control, highlighting the devastating consequences of road rage on innocent lives.
Zoe Johnson – what we know happened
A heartbreaking incident unfolded just after 4 p.m. on Emmaus Way near U.S. Route 64 in Savannah, Tennessee, leaving a young mother dead and her 3-year-old daughter critically injured. The altercation, described by authorities as a ”classic old case” of road rage, took a deadly turn, ending in unimaginable tragedy.
Zoe Johnson, 24, was traveling with her daughter, Karsyn, when an argument with another driver escalated. The suspect, 42-year-old Clint Newton, allegedly opened fire on Johnson’s vehicle, striking both her and her child.
“Somebody cut somebody off, or something like that, and it pursued about four or five miles before they turned into Emmaus Way and the incident occurred,” Hardin County Sheriff Johnny Alexander told WBBJ.
Surgery on her arm
When officers arrived at the scene, they found both Johnson and her daughter suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency responders provided medical assistance before rushing the victims to nearby hospitals.
Tragically, Zoe Johnson succumbed to her injuries at Hardin Medical Center and was pronounced dead. Karsyn, who was also injured, was flown to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, where she remains.
The sheriff expressed his deep concern over the senselessness of the incident.
“It’s just a classic old road rage,” Alexander said. “And it ended in the worst possible way.”
Family members shared updates on social media, noting that the child underwent surgery on her arm and would require a skin graft in the future. Despite her injuries, she was reported to be alert and talking.
“As far as I know, she’s doing fine,” Sheriff Alexander said, offering a glimmer of hope for the little girl’s recovery.
According to Safe motorist, road rage has been responsible for over 200 murders and more than 12,500 injuries in the past seven years.
Arrest and charge
Authorities quickly identified Clint Newton, 42, as the shooter. The sheriff confirmed that Newton did not have a weapon on him when taken into custody.
The accused shooter may have followed the mom for miles before shooting at her vehicle. He now faces charges of second-degree murder.
If convicted, Newton could face up to 60 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
A family’s struggle
Family members of the victims have turned to the community for support. A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover medical and funeral expenses, as the family reportedly did not have insurance.
“I am setting up the GoFundMe to help with medical expenses and funeral expenses. They did not have any kind of insurance whatsoever, and this family will need all the help and support that you can give,” an aunt of the familu wrote on the page. “If you can’t give, pray for this family because they will need it. These children will have to grow up without their mother.”
The fundraiser has already collected close to $16,000.
As the community mourns the loss of Zoe Johnson and prays for her daughter’s recovery, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of road rage.
Meanwhile, loved ones are rallying around Karsyn, hopeful for her healing while grappling with the void left by her mother’s untimely death.
According to family members, Zoe was deeply loved by everyone who knew her. She leaves behind a large, loving family and two precious little girls.
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