Road-rage dispute leads to shooting at McDonald's drive-thru in Hialeah

Suspects attacked driver who honked horn at them, police say

HIALEAH, Fla. ā€“ A road-rage dispute led to a shooting Monday night at a McDonald's drive-thru in Hialeah, police said.

Sergio Hernandez and his girlfriend, Vanessa Puente, were waiting in the drive-thru line of the fast-food restaurant on West 68th Street about 8:30 p.m. when Hernandez, 21, got out of the car and started speaking to the employee at the drive-thru window, a Hialeah police report said.

Victor Hugo Saavedra, who was waiting in the car directly behind them, honked the horn, prompting Puente, 20, to get out of her car and run up to the driver's side window of Saavedra's car, hitting the glass, police said.

When Saavedra, 22, stepped out of his car, Puente started punching him in the face, police said. Hernandez ran to help Puente and joined in the fight, punching Saavedra in the back of the head, police said.

Saavedra, who had a license to carry a concealed weapon, pulled a gun out of his waistband and shot Hernandez in the left pelvis area, police said.

Hernandez was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center to be treated for his gunshot wound. His injury was not life-threatening.

"After examining all known facts, carefully reviewing witness statements and consulting with the Miami-Dade (County) state attorney's office, the investigation revealed this was a self-defense case, and Saavedra will not be facing any charges," Hialeah police Sgt. Carl Zogby said.

Hernandez and Puente were arrested on charges of simple battery. Police said Puente also faces a charge of witness tampering because she slapped Saavedra's cellphone out of his hand as he tried to call 911.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.