Mother Dies, Daughter Critically Hurt in Violent Road Rage

What should have been a joyous day of celebration ended senselessly and tragically with a beloved mother dead and her daughter fighting for her life. How did what appeared to be a trivial traffic spat become a horrific and fatal road rage incident?

A Big Day and a Small Argument

On Feb. 22, Georgeann Park Garner joined a Mardi Gras parade in Panama City, Florida, as she celebrated her 48th birthday. With her in her car were two other occupants, including her 19-year-old daughter Marileigh Lewis.

After leaving the parade, Garner began to drive to a local restaurant to continue the birthday festivities. En route, Garner and her daughter were allegedly involved in a minor traffic dispute with a gray Dodge pickup truck.

Details are sketchy as to what occurred, but police are confident that what began as a verbal argument between Garner and Lewis and the occupants of the truck — Jubal Simmons, 23, and his girlfriend Ivybella Encino, 21 — escalated into a physical incident. "An occupant from Miss Garner's vehicle went back to this Encino vehicle and struck Miss Encino and that was the conclusion of it. It wasn't a big drawn-out brawl or anything like that," Captain Chris Nichol from the Panama City Police Department said, according to the New York Post.

However, Simmons and Encino allegedly decided that wasn't the conclusion. Instead, they decided to respond in the most disproportionate manner possible.

Sudden Horror

At a nearby red light, Encino allegedly drove the truck up alongside Garner's vehicle. Simmons then allegedly pulled out a gun and fired 11 rounds into the victim's car, hitting both Garner and Lewis in the chest.

A nearby police officer heard the shots and witnessed Simmon's and Encino's truck leaving the scene. The officer pursued the suspect's vehicle, resulting in a brief chase that ended when Encino rammed into a police patrol vehicle. Encino was detained immediately afterward.

Simmons attempted to feel on foot but was apprehended not far from the scene of the collision. Nearby witnesses performed first aid on Garner and Lewis until paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, Garner's injuries were too severe and she died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Making Sense of the Senseless

At the time of writing, Marileigh Lewis is in critical condition in the ICU on a ventilator. "She will need time to heal and her medical bills will be extensive and expensive," said Sarah Pearson, Garner's best friend, via a GoFundMe page, according to the New York Post. Pearson set up the GoFundMe to help pay for the medical bills, the funereal costs, and possible legal representation for the family.

"The world lost a beautiful soul that day," Pearson continued, as reported by the New York Post. "Georgann truly had a smile that would light up a room. Her eyes twinkled when she laughed and glittered when she snorted. She was taken from us far too quickly and her life was ended by ruthless people with road rage whose hearts were full of hate."

According to her obituary, Garner was a Mississippi transplant who loved all things Cajun and was a beloved family member.

Encino was charged with accessory to murder, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and driving while license suspended/revoked.

Simmons faces charges of murder, three counts of attempted murder, tampering with evidence, and resisting officers without violence.

It's hard to believe that what appears on the surface a minor incident at best resulted in so much thoughtless, painful violence. Yet, to many researchers, this story is tragic but not surprising. In an article for WebMD, psychotherapist Barry Markell notes that road rage often results from dehumanizing the other people behind the wheel. "They 'thingify' the person," he explained.

If only the alleged suspects remembered that the people they were so angry at were real people, maybe Garner would still be here today, enjoying her 48th year of life.

References: Mom of 2 killed in road rage shooting on her birthday: 'Her life was ended by ruthless people' | Georgeann Park Garner | Florida road rage shooting victim was a single mom celebrating her birthday on the day she was killed | Florida Single Mother of Two Identified as Road Rage Shooting Victim: 'She Still Had So Much Life to Live' | The Root Cause of Road Rage