Family faces long recovery after road rage shooting sparks fire inside car

Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Family burned in car on 4th of July facing long recovery
The family tells ABC13 Eyewitness News the burns from the explosion left one of the children unrecognizable.

HOUSTON, Texas -- A Houston family who was burned after fireworks exploded in their car says their two small children are still recovering.

The family of four was injured during a road rage incident on July 4.

Deputies said 18-year-old Bayron Rivera fired a gun at the family because he was upset the family's father cut him off on the road.

The family tells ABC News their 1-year-old underwent surgery Monday and is recovering.

The father and the 2-year-old, however, are still hospitalized.

They said the burns from the explosion left one of the children unrecognizable.

Deputies said the investigation showed Rivera used an AR-15 style rifle to fire into the family's car.

They said the family and Rivera did not know each other.

Rivera surrendered to deputies Sunday and is now being held on a $120,000 bond.

READ MORE: Suspect who shot into car carrying family of 4 and caused fireworks to go off surrenders, sheriff says

"Our main concern has been to the two children that have been severely injured and face a very long long recovery," said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez in a press conference.

The lead lieutenant on the case said Rivera told them he did not know children were in the car at the time of the shooting.