1776Reporting
A peaceful Sunday afternoon turned into a nightmare for a Memphis family when a road rage incident escalated into deadly violence. Zoe Johnson, 24, lost her life, and her young daughter was injured after a truck driver allegedly chased their vehicle for miles before opening fire.
The heartbreaking series of events began just after 4 p.m. on a stretch of Highway 64 near Savannah, Tennessee. According to CBS affiliate WREG, the dispute started as a minor road confrontation but quickly spiraled into a dangerous pursuit that ended on Emmaus Way.
“Two vehicles were side-by-side. One of them cut the other one off—what we could get so far—and the pickup began following the car,” Hardin County Sheriff Johnny Alexander said. “They tried to get home or get to a residence, and that’s when the incident occurred.”
A Violent Encounter
Johnson, her fiancé, and their two young daughters were traveling together when the truck driver allegedly followed them to their destination. Sheriff Alexander revealed the chilling details: the truck’s driver fired multiple gunshots at the family’s car.
Johnson, seated in the front passenger seat, was struck in the back, tragically losing her life. One of her daughters, shot in the arm, survived but now faces a long road to recovery.
“When officers arrived, they found two victims that had been injured by a gunshot. They did medical care on them until EMS arrived and got them out of the scene,” Alexander explained to CBS affiliate WBBJ-TV.
Authorities quickly launched an investigation, piecing together evidence from the scene and eyewitness accounts. Within hours, Clint Newton, 43, was identified as the suspect.
Arrest Made Within Hours
Newton was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after police located his vehicle and detained him.
“We picked him up on the road,” Sheriff Alexander confirmed. “We got some information from doing a canvas of the neighborhood and got some information about the vehicle, and that’s when we found the vehicle, stopped him, and took him into custody.”
While Newton faces justice, Johnson’s family must grapple with the profound loss of a mother and partner.
A Community Rallies Around the Family
The injured daughter is expected to recover, but her aunt shared on social media that she may need a skin graft in the future. “As far as I know, she’s doing fine,” said Sheriff Alexander.
In the wake of the tragedy, family members launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral and medical expenses.
“I am the aunt of David Tilley. I am setting up the GoFundMe to help with medical expenses and funeral expenses,” the description read. “They did not have any kind of insurance whatsoever, and this family will need all the help and support that you can give. If you can’t give, pray for this family because they will need it.”
The campaign has surpassed its $10,000 goal, raising $13,283 as of Tuesday. The family expressed their gratitude for the community’s generosity.
“These children will have to grow up without their mother. All donations can be made at Central Bank in Savannah, Tennessee, to James David Tilley,” the fundraiser stated.
A Mother’s Legacy
The tragic loss of Zoe Johnson is a stark reminder of how road rage can turn deadly in an instant. As her family struggles to move forward, the community’s outpouring of support provides a glimmer of hope amid their heartbreak.
This devastating story serves as a cautionary tale and a call for kindness on the road—a plea to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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