Chula Vista police released video Thursday of a road rage attack that ended with a driver being stabbed in the middle of the street.
Three people are wanted in connection with the violent incident, which took place around 2 p.m. Saturday at J Street and 2nd Avenue in Chula Vista.
According to the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD), the victim had stopped behind a two-door, 2003 Hyundai sedan and honked at the driver to alert them that the light had turned green. The victim thought the woman driving the Hyundai was distracted by her phone and hadn't noticed the light turn green.
Police said the driver of the Hyundai and her male passenger got upset with victim for honking at them.
After a short verbal exchange, they followed the victim's vehicle for several blocks. Both drivers stopped at J Street and 2nd Avenue, got out of their cars and began physically fighting.
During the altercation, the victim was stabbed once in the chest by the male passenger of the Hyundai.
"The victim didn't know he was stabbed. He immediately thought he was punched,” said Chula Vista Police Capt. Fritz Reber. "He was in the hospital three days. He had to undergo some exploratory surgery, so certainly wasn't a minor wound."
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Police said a third suspect, another man, also joined in the fight. He may have walked up during the confrontation or could have been in another vehicle.
The victim's wounds are not considered to be life-threatening but are still serious, police said.
Reber told NBC 7 the victim made the mistake of stopping and confronting the aggressor instead of simply changing course.
He said other motorists should remember this case if they're ever in a similar situation that could escalate to road rage.
"Don’t stop. Don't pull over," Reber said. "Yes, you are probably angry but just keep driving. Turn the other way."
The videos released by the CVPD were captured by two different witnesses.
"Having this video from witnesses is essential for investigators," Reber said.
The suspects are described to be a man between the age of 17 to 22, approximately 5-foot-5 and 140 pounds. He had short, bushy, black hair and possibly a mustache and was last seen wearing white utility overalls.
The second suspect who walked into the fight was possibly around 20 years old, 5-foot-11 and around 220 pounds. He had a shaved or bald head, and wore a light-colored ball cap with a dark brim, a light-colored T-shirt over a long-sleeved dark shirt and blue jeans.
Police described the woman as approximately 18 to 22 years old with long, dark hair. Police are asking for the public's help to identify the three victims.
This is the second road rage incident this week in Chula Vista that ended in violence.
On Monday, two couples were recorded getting into a violent fight on 3rd Avenue and K Street. In that incident, one woman ended up with a bloody face.
Police said they cannot explain the sudden uptick in such incidents but said cellphone usage does add aggravation to the driving equation.
