Woman Wounded In Car-To-Car Shooting On 5 Freeway

ATWATER VILLAGE (CBSLA.com) — A woman was shot Wednesday while driving on the 5 Freeway in the Atwater Village area.

The shooting occurred in the southbound lanes around 5:45 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department said.

The suspect used a shot gun to fire nearly half-a-dozen shots at the 41-year-old victim's 2002 Nissan sedan.

The woman was alone in her vehicle on her way to work in Glendale, reported KCAL9's Randy Paige.

The unidentified woman was able to exit the freeway before stopping her car near the intersection of Colorado Boulevard and San Fernando Road, according to officials.

She sustained wounds to her upper torso, neck and arm and was transported to a local hospital for surgery.

The suspect vehicle, a dark-colored SUV, was last seen fleeing southbound on San Fernando Road.

A motive in the shooting was not released but officials told Paige they did not think it was a case of road rage and believe the victim was "specifically targeted."

Authorities also told Paige, "nothing has been ruled out."

"She has gone through surgery, she's in ICU in stable condition but she's not able to be interviewed at this time," said LAPD Detective Jeana Frano.

The victim currently has a respirator down her throat to help her breathe, Paige reported.

Police are hoping to be able to speak with the woman tomorrow.

Paige asked Franco if the victim -- wounded by shrapnel as it exploded in her car -- was lucky to be alive.

"She's so lucky to be alive. she really is. Yeah, she's very lucky. Any time that anybody shoots at you -- especially with a shotgun and your car takes multiple hits -- and you survive, you are very lucky."

Wednesday's incident marked the fourth shooting on a Southland freeway since mid-July.