A tragic incident occurred on Thursday when an Amazon truck driver was shot on Interstate 5 and crashed into a building in Lathrop. The driver, identified as Ilkhom Shodiev, a 37-year-old resident of North Carolina, sadly succumbed to his injuries, according to Christy Patterson, spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Coroner's Office.
The shooting took place earlier in the day, causing traffic to build up on I-5. Ruben Jones, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol, reported that at around 12:48 p.m., Shodiev was driving an Amazon delivery truck on I-5 between Highway 120 and East Louise Avenue in Lathrop when the vehicle veered off the highway and crashed into a building.
Authorities received multiple calls stating that shots had been fired before the accident occurred. It was later confirmed that Shodiev had been shot multiple times while driving. He was rushed to a hospital but tragically did not survive his injuries.
Amazon spokesperson Alisa Carroll expressed their condolences, stating, "We are deeply saddened by his death, and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate this incident."
Due to the police activity, northbound I-5 was closed at Highway 120/Manteca Bypass on Thursday. The westbound connector ramp from Highway 120 to northbound I-5 was also closed. While the area eventually reopened to traffic later in the evening, congestion persisted.
Details regarding the shooter and the motive behind the shooting remain unknown, according to Jones. It is unclear how the Amazon driver was involved or if he was merely a bystander.
The investigation has been taken over by the California Highway Patrol's Valley Division Investigative Support Unit (ISU), which is now seeking the public's help in resolving the case. "If you have any dashcam footage, ISU wants to see it," said Jones. "Whether you think you've seen something significant or not, ISU may have a lead on a particular vehicle, so any recording, any clue, no matter how small, can be helpful in furthering this investigation."
Anyone who was driving northbound on I-5 between Highway 120 and East Louise Avenue around 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday is urged to contact ISU at (916) 731-6580 or CHP Stockton at (209) 938-4800 and ask for Jones.
This devastating incident has left the community in shock, and authorities are working diligently to bring justice for Ilkhom Shodiev and his family.
Originally posted at Abogados de Choques
