‘Why us?’ Broward couple recounts surviving road rage shooting on I-595. Shooter at large

Taking a drive with his wife of 20 years, Rondrica Davis, was a daily routine for Jeff. Now, every time the couple gets into their Ford Escape, they cry, staring at the bullet hole that pierced the car and struck Rondrica — as a long road of recovery lies ahead with bullet fragments still lodged in her head.

Jeff, who wished to not share his last name for safety, was driving with Davis by his side last Friday when she was shot in the head and became unresponsive.

“She wasn’t responding for like a minute and 30 seconds,” Jeff told the Miami Herald on Tuesday.

Davis later told him she had seen clouds and mountains, describing an out-of-body experience.

“Her spirit had left. Her body — she was gone already, but God has a purpose for her,” Jeff said.

Around 8 p.m. Friday, the Fort Lauderdale couple was traveling westbound on Interstate 595 in Davie when they encountered an aggressive driver in a black pickup truck, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating this incident.

The truck approached them from behind at a high rate of speed.

“I was in the fast lane, doing 87 at that point in time, and I seen this truck just fired up, got real close to me,” Jeff, who was driving, told the Miami Herald on Tuesday.

He moved over to let the truck pass, but the situation quickly escalated.

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The driver of the truck swerved into the emergency lane, nearly losing control and hitting a wall. Moments later, he maneuvered in front of their car, turned off his lights and continued to drive aggressively, Jeff said.

“I told my wife, ‘I think this truck is going to try to do something stupid,’” he said.

“After slowing down and suddenly braking in front of the Escape, the driver of the truck got to the left of the Escape,” BSO said in a press release.

Jeff then noticed the driver’s window rolling down. He warned Rondrica to get down as a shot rang out.

She said she was mentally transported to a place with mountains as she could barely make sense of what was happening. She could tell the car rolled over, but as she shouted for help, she realized she was saying it in her head but couldn’t vocalize.

“I thought I was hit, and she thought I was hit,” Jeff said. “Then I looked at my wife, and I noticed she was bleeding. I just thought I was getting ready to lose my wife.”

Rondrica survived and was rushed to Broward Health Medical Center. She still has bullet fragments lodged in her brain and doctors warn she may face complications. Since her release from the hospital, she has been working on regaining her mobility.

She said some of the most challenging recovery was getting back motion in her legs. However, due to an ongoing concussion from the brain bleed, she still hears ringing and is very sensitive to loud noises.

“I thank God that I have a second chance at life because I never got a second chance at life,” she said. “This is going to take a while of healing.”

The shooting has left the couple shaken and fearful. “This guy is still out here, and we’re driving the same car he shot at. Is he trying to finish us off?” Jeff said. Their once-routine drives are now fraught with anxiety and uncertainty.

Detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit are investigating the incident and are seeking the public’s help in identifying the shooter. According to the BSO press release, the incident occurred at approximately 7:51 p.m. on Jan. 10 near Hiatus Road. After firing the shot, the driver of the truck sped off westbound.

Authorities are urging anyone with information or video footage to come forward. Tips can be submitted to Detective Brittany Armstrong at 954-321-4888 or anonymously through Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

As they navigate Rondrica’s recovery and the emotional toll of the experience, the couple has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses.

Jeff remains haunted by the question that lingers in his mind: “Why us?” They hope authorities can soon provide answers.

“We don’t bother people. We don’t have enemies,” Davis said. “We are normal living people.”

For now, they are clinging to each other and the belief that they survived for a reason. “I’m just glad we’re here,” Jeff said. “We’re still here.”

This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM.