An engineer from Gilbertsville, Pa. has surrendered to police in connection with the Friday morning road rage shooting on a busy suburban highway.
John Yannarell allegedly pulled up alongside a Pottstown woman on Route 422 near the Oaks exit around 7:30 a.m. and opened fire on her car. The woman, 31-year-old Elizabeth Cox, was actually on the phone with police at the time to report the man's reckless driving.
A single bullet ripped through the back of her black Ford Focus, hitting the unidentified woman twice -- once in her right knee and once in her right elbow, police said.
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"She felt a vibration on her vehicle and believing she was struck, she pulled over to the shoulder of the highway thinking that the other operator would also stop,"Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Andrew Skelton said.
Initially, Cox thought her car had been sideswiped by the silver Buick Lucerne she called to report for swerving in and out of traffic. She followed the car to get a description for police. It was only after the woman gave police the license plate, that she realized she had been shot.
Cox was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for treatment. She was released late Friday afternoon.
Yannarell, 50, allegedly sped off, heading to his job in SCA America in Center City Philadelphia. He later called his attorney to report what had happened.
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Saul Solomon said he advised his client to turn himself into authorities, which he did Friday afternoon.
Solomon described Yannarell as an engineer who is the father of a 17-year-old daughter. He says the man has a permit to carry a gun and has no criminal history.
A loaded .9mm Smith and Wesson pistol with five rounds still in the magazine and a second magazine with 7 rounds were turned over to investigators, according to the criminal complaint.
While Yannarell may not have a criminal record, he has pleaded guilty to several traffic violations for failure to obey traffic devices and speeding.
His neighbors also describe the man as a "hothead." They claim Yannarell has had shouting matches with contractors at his home.
Jim Rowland says Yannarell confronted him for using the wrong type of rock salt after he plowed his driveway and sidewalk as a favor.
"He was asking if I put salt out and [he said] there's only certain salt you're allowed to use and showed me a piece of salt...and I was like well I won't shovel your walkway anymore."
Yannarrell is also a member of a website called Pitch Your Bitch Online -- which bills itself as a "community of people who have an opinion and want to voice it." On the site, he posted a blog entry about "being single during mid-life; the trials and tribulations!"
Yannarell is charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and attempted homicide. He will be arraigned late Friday night.
