Road rage: Man who tried to kill other driver near Corona gets 17 years to life

A 47-year-old man who shot a driver during a road rage confrontation south of Corona while his child sat next to him was sentenced Monday to 17 years to life in state prison.

Luis Orlando Quiroz of Corona pleaded guilty last month to first-degree attempted murder, firearm assault, shooting at an occupied vehicle, carrying a loaded gun without a license and child cruelty, along with sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations, under a pretrial agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

During a sentencing hearing Aug. 10 at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Superior Court Judge Sam Shouka certified the terms of the plea agreement and imposed the term of imprisonment specified by the prosecution and defense.

According to Sgt. Patrick Montalvo of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the attack occurred at about 11:40 p.m. on June 23, 2024, in the area of Dawson Canyon and Temescal Canyon roads, just east of Interstate 15.

Montalvo said that the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, was driving north on Temescal Canyon “when he was struck by gunfire.”

The man was able to drive himself to a hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening wound, from which he has since recovered. Deputies went to the location to take a report several hours later.

Montalvo said the ensuing three-week investigation led to the identification of Quiroz as the assailant, though specific details regarding what prompted his road rage were not provided.

“It was later learned that Quiroz’s child was in the vehicle during the shooting and was unharmed,” the sergeant said.

The minor’s age and other identifying details were not disclosed.

The defendant was taken into custody without incident after he was questioned by detectives at the sheriff’s Lake Mathews station, where he had been summoned.

He had no documented prior felony or misdemeanor convictions in Riverside County.