Turnpike Shooting Victim Speaks Out
DAVIE (CBSMiami) – A South Florida woman who was shot and wounded while driving on the Florida Turnpike in November spoke to reporters Monday morning for the first time in hopes it would lead to an arrest.
Tonika Clark, 32, was shot twice in what Florida Highway Patrol investigators said may have been a case of road rage.
"God is my source and my strength and he kept me alive and I have a purpose and I'm going to continue to serve him," said Clark.
She didn't want to show her face but said she is one very grateful woman who feels quite lucky, despite being the victim of something awful.
"I just remember two loud, just two loud, it sounded like the tires blew, it was just 'boom, boom', and I didn't realize at first that I was shot," she explained.
Clark was shot twice while riding with friends on the Turnpike, while heading northbound through the Cypress Creek Toll Plaza.
She was riding in the right rear passenger seat of a white Dodge Journey.
It was about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 2nd.
Investigators believe someone in a black Infinity pulled out a gun, took aim at the Dodge Journey and fired.
One of the bullets is still lodged inside Clark.
"This is the actual bullet," said Clark. "It entered my back, traveled a little bit and ended up here."
At this point, investigators believe road rage could be a reason because the car Clark was in was driving too slowly.
Whatever the reason, Clark is grateful that she wasn't killed and that she's still here to watch her 5 and 10 year old children grow up.
"No one wakes up in the morning and have an idea that just driving down the street, minding your own business that you can lose your life and life is something we take for granted but you just never know. It's not promised to any of us."
FHP investigators hope someone out there has information that can help solve this case.
If you know anything call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.
