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A pregnant teenager was shot in the head during a road rage dispute in Louisiana, authorities say.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24, in Ponchatoula, a city about 50 miles from New Orleans. According to a press release from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, the 17-year-old was traveling in a Ford Expedition with two other people when they encountered a driver inside a silver Dodge Truck.

Driving the car was a man identified as 54-year-old Barry West, who was going in the same direction as the Ford Expedition, the sheriff said.

"The investigation has determined after the two vehicles were tailgating and brake-checking each other, West shot one round into the Expedition traveling in front of him where the victim was seated in the front passenger seat," the press release stated.

The teen, who was seven months pregnant, was struck in the head and taken to a nearby hospital.

'Senseless tragedy': Man accused in shooting faces multiple charges

Following an emergency C-section, the teen's baby survived and was placed in a NICU.

West was arrested and charged with one count of illegal use of a weapon and obstruction of justice and four counts of attempted second-degree murder, according to the sheriff's office.

Records show that he is in custody at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail.

Per the press release, West said that he believed the people in the Ford Expedition had opened fire first, but "there were no other shots fired in the incident, and there was no weapon" in that vehicle.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker called the incident a "senseless tragedy."

Teen's condition unknown

In their last press release on Aug. 25, the sheriff's office said the 17-year-old victim was in critical condition. However, no update on her condition has been provided as of Aug. 26.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office previously said that West's charges could be updated pending the victim's condition. USA TODAY has reached out to the agency for more information.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A pregnant teen was shot in the head during a road rage incident. Her baby survived.

Reporting by Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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