Investigation underway after ‘road rage incident’ on Grande Boulevard in Tyler
Published 10:22 pm Friday, February 13, 2026
An investigation is underway after one person was shot and injured during what police called a “road rage” incident.
Around 5:15 p.m. Friday evening, a driver got out of his vehicle and shot another driver in a vehicle next to him on Grande Boulevard just west of its intersection with Paluxy Drive, according to Tyler Police Department spokesperson Andy Erbaugh. Erbaugh said children were in the victim’s vehicle at the time of the shooting.
The victim was shot in the neck and taken to a local emergency room. His status was unknown Friday night.
Police said the alleged suspect remained on scene after the shooting and was detained by officers. The department’s crimes against persons unit was on scene to gather evidence and conduct interviews. If probable cause is found, warrants will be issued to pursue an arrest.
Erbaugh said investigators will continue to probe the incident and work to determine what circumstances led to the “horrific incident.”
“We hope to get this figured out and resolved pretty quickly,” he said.
A full force of police units were on scene responding to the incident. Officers were busy directing traffic as investigators secured the crime scene.
The shooting occurred during 5 p.m. rush hour, leading to the closure of Grande Boulevard east and west of Paluxy Drive. The road was closed until about 9 p.m. Friday night before fully reopening for regular traffic.
All lanes of Grande Blvd are now open for regular traffic.
Few details are available at this time but the Tyler Morning Telegraph will update this article as more information is released.
The terms “aggressive driving” and “road rage” emerged during the 1990s after news reports of several traffic disputes caught the public’s attention, according to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines road rage as “an intentional assault by a driver or passenger with a motor vehicle or a weapon that occurs on the roadway or is precipitated by an incident on the roadway.”
Examples of aggressive driving include speeding in heavy traffic, tailgating, cutting in front of another driver then slowing down, running red lights or stop signs, weaving in and out of traffic, changing lanes without a signal, blocking cars that are trying to pass or change lanes, and passing a car on the wrong side of the road, according to TDI.
Extreme cases of aggressive driving escalate to road rage, which TDI said can include cursing or making rude or obscene gestures at other drivers, throwing objects at another vehicle, ramming or sideswiping a vehicle, forcing a driver off the road, or physically assaulting another driver.
Only a few states have laws specifically defining and punishing road rage. Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed a bill that will make road rage shootings a first-degree felony in Texas. The bill, which goes into effect Sept. 1, came about after a fatal Houston road rage incident in 2023.
Remaining calm and courteous while you’re behind the wheel can lower your risk of an unpleasant, or potentially dangerous, confrontation with another driver. TDI recommends drivers:
• Avoid eye contact because it can increase the chance of confrontation. Just steer clear of angry drivers and ignore them altogether, if possible.
• Don’t respond to aggression with more aggression. Being reactive can only escalate the situation, so it’s best to get out of the other driver’s way as safely as possible.
• Be tolerant and forgiving. Always assume an aggressive driver’s behavior is not personal.
Aggressive drivers or those who appear to be driving with road rage can be reported by calling 311 immediately. Be sure to include the vehicle description, location, license plate number and direction of travel, if possible. If you feel immediately threatened or are concerned for your safety, call 911 to be connected with local emergency services. Continue driving and find a safe place, like a police station, hospital or fire station.
Drivers can’t have control over others who are on the road, but they can keep their own behaviors and reactions in check.
“Staying alert, remaining calm, and obeying the rules of the road can help decrease aggressive driving and avoid the dangers of road rage,” TDI said.