Texas Man Accused of Opening Fire After Puddle Splash Sparks Road Rage

A splash of puddle water on a windshield spiraled into violent gunfire on a San Antonio highway, with a 2-year-old toddler caught in the middle.

KSAT reported on Monday, July 27, that Daniel Jude Jimenez Jr., 32, and Lois Badillo-Lopez, 29, are facing felony charges after prosecutors say the couple opened fire on another driver following a road rage confrontation.

The two are charged in Bexar County and face charges of aggravated assault for discharging a firearm from a vehicle and endangering a child with imminent risk of injury.

KEN5 obtained the arrest affidavit, which states that the confrontation began on East Houston Street near Interstate 10 after the other driver’s car splashed water onto Jimenez and Badillo-Lopez’s vehicle.

As both cars merged onto the interstate, the other driver said Jimenez pulled alongside him, waving a handgun equipped with a red-dot optic. Fearing for his safety, the man said he grabbed his own legally owned firearm.

Police allege Jimenez then fired multiple rounds into his vehicle. The man returned fire before driving home and calling 911. His car later showed at least five bullet strikes, though he wasn’t hurt.

Dashcam footage he turned over to investigators reportedly confirmed his account of the confrontation. Badillo-Lopez told detectives their toddler was in the back seat throughout the shooting.

She admitted to loading a handgun and passing it to Jimenez after seeing the other driver display his weapon, investigators said. Both defendants claim the other driver fired first.

Court records show both were held on $150,000 bonds. Jimenez has since posted bond, while Badillo-Lopez remained in custody as of Tuesday. Both defendants are set to appear back in court on October 20 for a pretrial hearing before formal charges are filed.