x
Breaking News
More () »

'Something has to happen here' | Road rage death spurs Texas father to push for legislation to curb the problem

Louise Wilson was shot to death on the Pierce Street elevated one year ago. Her father is now pushing for legislation changes and technology upgrades.

HOUSTON — Houston leads the nation for the most road rage incidents and shootings, according to a report by "The Trace," a newsroom that investigates U.S. gun violence. 

The report found 215 incidents between 2014 and 2023, which is twice as many as the next city on the list.

But multiple road rage cases remain unsolved and one Texas father said more is needed to curb Texas' road rage problem.

Louise Wilson was shot to death on the Pierce Street elevated one year ago. Now, her father is pushing for legislation changes and technology upgrades to take aim at road rage suspects and not let his daughter's death be in vain.

The Galveston sunrise is one Lousie's family had to see for her. One year ago, while making the trip from her home near Waco, tragedy struck on Houston's Pierce elevated.

“It’s been really kind of a blur, very difficult,” said her father, Daniel Wilson.

Police said while making the early morning drive to watch the sunrise, the 17-year-old accidentally swerved in front of another car to avoid getting into an accident. That’s when police said someone opened fire on her car, killing her.

“I think that’s what she would’ve wanted just for all of us to be there together," Wilson said.

But the work is not finished. During the investigation, her father said he started researching Houston highway camera systems and found some gaps.

“Something has to happen here Texas cannot keep leading the nation in these types of killings," he said.

From there he learned about the Illinois Tamera Clayton Expressway Camera Act -- a program to increase cameras along expressways in Cook County. He's now taking steps to get similar Automated License Plate Recognition like it around Texas. 

He hopes grant funding gets it done.

“Trying to bring some kind of a meaning to what happened," Wilson said.

Similar technology exists he said, but it's constantly improving. He said with Texas leading the nation in road rage incidents it's prime ground to pilot it. 

While now it's simply a holiday wish to consider, he urges drivers to just be considerate.

“Take a breath and realize the person in the car has a mother has a father has a brother or sister. And there’s a real person in there," Wilson said.

Wilson said he's connected with a couple of state legislators and so far, one is having their policy review team review the proposal.

Before You Leave, Check This Out