SAN ANTONIO — A man will spend decades behind bars for a split-second of anger. On Thursday, Jeremiah Nevarez was sentenced to 60 years in prison for a deadly road rage shooting.
It happened on May 4, 2022, on Interstate 35 near Binz Engleman Road. Police say Nevarez pulled up next to Andrew Rangel and fired four rounds into his car, fatally wounding him.
“Andrew had just left work at 4:30 p.m.,” said Rangel’s mother, Angela Trevino. “He had just gotten on the highway, and he was pronounced dead 5 minutes later.”
Rangel crashed into a tree while Nevarez fled the scene. Investigators used surveillance video and cellphone data to arrest him months later.
“Andrew loved his family,” said Trevino. “He was respected by all of his friends. He was just full of life, was always smiling, always happy and easy-going. He is missed terribly. Andrew requested to spend his 29th birthday with his family; he wanted to have breakfast with us and go bowling, and that’s exactly what we did. Just 30 days later, he was dead. It was four days before Mother’s Day, and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Andrew didn’t deserve this; no one does.”
Trevino, who was given a life sentence of grief, was hoping Nevarez would receive a life sentence behind bars.
“Although it was only 60 years, this is just a small example of the price that you pay if you decide to take that selfish act to satisfy your feelings for just one split second,” she said.
Research shows this type of crime is becoming more common. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, road rage shootings dramatically increased between 2018 and 2022 across the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ranks Texas among the top 10 worst states.
“If you make one small gesture of honking your horn, it’s an automatic insult and people’s feelings are hurt and they want to take action into their own hands,” said Trevino. “We want people out there to know there will be a price to pay. The defendant received 60 years and he will not see his family. Although I will never get to have a wedding for Andrew or see him become a father, other families have been affected by this.”
Trevino is now pushing the Bexar County District Attorney's Office for tougher penalties when it comes to road rage shootings.
“This case highlights the importance of community cooperation and technology in solving crimes," said Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales in a statement. "We remain committed to holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring they face consequences for their actions.”