A woman has been captured on video brandishing a machete during two separate road rage incidents in Southern California, prompting concerns about escalating traffic-related confrontations.
The first incident occurred in Sylmar, Los Angeles, when a driver recorded a video showing a woman threatening to “skin” him while holding a machete. The second incident took place in February in Santa Clarita, where the same woman was seen with a machete sheath, though the blade was not visible. In both cases, the individuals involved claimed they were victims of aggressive behavior and felt threatened.
The woman, identified as Andrea, issued a statement acknowledging her actions. She expressed accountability for letting her emotions get the better of her and emphasized that she felt genuinely threatened in both situations. Andrea urged the public to refrain from making quick judgments based on brief video clips and to consider the full context of the incidents.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Mission Division has taken a police report from the driver involved in the Sylmar incident. Law enforcement experts advise against taking independent action in such situations, suggesting instead to call 911 if one feels threatened. They caution that escalating confrontations can lead to dangerous outcomes, especially if the other party is armed.
The videos have sparked widespread concern among local residents about the potential dangers of road rage incidents. Many are calling for increased awareness and education on how to handle aggressive driving behavior safely.
ABC7 was able to get a statement from the woman, but she did not wish to be on camera. The woman said, as reported:
“Let me set the record straight, there is no good from my actions. I take accountability for the fact that I let emotions get the better of me in both incidents… All I ask is that people refrain from making quick judgments based on a few seconds of video that don’t reflect the full context of what actually happened,” she said. “It’s also frustrating that so much focus has been placed on the fact that I had a weapon with me. Yes, I did — and yes, I showed it — but only because I felt genuinely threatened.”
Watch the video of her showing the machete during the road rage incident.
