Road rage leads to shots fired on I-75

Three people were arrested June 5 after a road rage encounter on Interstate 75 led to a vehicle being struck by gunfire, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

The alleged offenses occurred starting at about 6:40 p.m. June 5 on I-75 Northbound.

The occupants of one vehicle, Austin Devain Morris, 21, and Jada Skulski, 21, both from Tifton, were arrested. Morris was charged with aggressive driving and felony party to a crime – aggravated assault. Ms. Skulski was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

The driver of another vehicle, Leo John Erickson, 51, of Crystal River, Fla., was charged with aggressive driving.

Morris and Erickson were both allegedly driving in an aggressive manner in an attempt to harass or annoy.

According to warrants taken by the Sheriff’s Office, Ms. Skulski discharged a Smith and Wesson 9 mm handgun from within the vehicle in which she was a passenger toward Erickson while their vehicles were traveling on I-75. Bullets struck Erickson’s vehicle multiple times.

Morris allegedly advised Ms. Skulski to shoot the handgun at Erickson’s passing vehicle while traveling northbound on I-75, thus the aggravated assault – party to a crime count.

Ms. Skulski was released from the Cook County Jail June 10 on a $20,000 property bond. Bond conditions include do not possess any firearm or other dangerous/offensive weapons.

According to information reported during the first appearance/bond hearing in Magistrate Court, the accused is not employed and has requested a court-appointed defense attorney. 

Morris was released from jail June 8 on a $13,000 property bond. Bond conditions include do not possess any firearm or other offensive/dangerous weapons. 

According to Magistrate Court records, Morris has been employed and has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.

The case against Morris and Ms. Skulski is pending in Cook County Superior Court.