ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARREST DRIVER FOLLOWING ROAD-RAGE EXPRESSWAY SHOOTING
February 23, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2026
CHICAGO – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 Special Agents arrested 52-year-old Rene Garica of Chicago, IL after an alleged road-rage expressway shooting left one injured on I-90.
On February 18, 2026, at approximately 3:13 p.m., ISP Troopers responded to the report of an expressway shooting on I-90 southbound near Ogden Avenue. During a road rage incident, the suspect, identified as Garica, fired a weapon at the victim’s vehicle, striking a 14-year-old juvenile passenger. The victims self-transported to an area hospital for the treatment of the passenger’s non-life-threatening injuries. Garica pulled over after the incident and Troopers took him into custody.
On February 20, 2026, the case was presented to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and Garica was charged with one count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X Felony) and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm – Occupied Vehicle (Class 1 Felony). He was held pending his first court appearance. There is no further information.
ISP reminds the public that when it comes to aggressive driving, don’t lose your temper or your life. Road Rage. Don’t Engage. If you are the victim of road rage or believe a driver is following or harassing you, call 911 and/or go to the nearest police department to report it. For more information about how to avoid road rage or ISP’s “Road Rage. Don’t Engage.” campaign, visit the ISP website at: https://isp.illinois.gov/TrafficSafety/RoadRage.
Rene Garica (M/52)
The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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