INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — State police are asking for help, as they try to solve a road rage shooting from Wednesday.

A driver, who was identified as 35-year-old Ryan Hawkins, was shot on I-65 near Southport road and drove his car off of the interstate. Hawkins was ejected from the car before it landed in the pond. He died at the scene.

On Thursday afternoon, police said they found the other vehicle involved in the incident.

Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine joined News 8 on Thursday’s “Daybreak.” He says road rage incidents where guns are involved are on the rise.

“We’re sounding the alarm,” Perrine said. “We’ve been talking about this for the last couple of years and talking about it isn’t working. We need to bring more awareness to the dangers of engaging in road rage.”

According to the sergeant, in 2023, interstate highways in the Indianapolis area saw 230 incidents where guns were displayed in connection to road rage. This year, he says, 90 have already been reported.

Also in 2023, state police responded to 56 road rage shootings on Indianapolis interstates. That figure is over double the shootings recorded in 2020.

Perrine says it’s a conflict resolution issue.

“People are going straight to violence out of anger,” the sergeant said. “It’s terrifying that somebody could make a mistake while driving. You find yourself in the wrong lane, you accidentally cut somebody off, whatever it may be could lead to a death sentence.

The issue is also plaguing other communities within Marion County. Gary Woodruff, a retired chief with the Lawrence Police Department, said, “It can result in tragedy.”

Woodruff and Perrine offered advice to drivers who might get caught up in potential road rage.

“In the first place, don’t start the road rage,” he said. “Disengage whatever that takes, pull over, slow down exit, get away from the other vehicle.”