Two people, including a minor, were detained overnight following a pursuit in a stolen car that resulted in a California Highway Patrol officer being hospitalized when the chase ended in a crash.
The pursuit started on Interstate 805 near Murray Ridge Road, where a CHP unit of two officers on patrol saw a red Acura MDX "speeding and swerving in the traffic lanes," according to the San Diego Police Department.
When CHP tried to pull the car over, the vehicle fled, resulting in a brief pursuit. As the unit chased the vehicle, officers learned the suspect's car was stolen during a carjacking in Escondido.
As the chase continued, the suspect car drove into a dead end street in Serra Mesa. CHP officers exited their car to pull the car over and while trying to flee authorities, the vehicle made a U-turn and drove toward the officers and their patrol car, prompting CHP to open fire.
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SDPD said the suspect's car crashed into the patrol vehicle, pinning an officer between the door and their car. The suspects then drove off from the scene in the stolen vehicle.
Responding officers found the stolen car abandoned in the 2200 block of Royale Crescent Court. A 17-year-old girl was found nearby and was detained in connection to the chase, police said. A 21-year-old man, who was later identified as the stolen car's driver, was arrested shortly after.
SDPD said a third suspect who was also in the car during the pursuit remains on the loose. A description of that person was not immediately available.
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“Definitely a little bit startling. I was surprised to see that there’s still cops out here this morning, especially when they told me that I need to go back inside because they caught the bad guy,” said Ethan Vance, who lives in the area.
No one appears to have been struck by the gunfire, according to authorities. Initially, SDPD said the suspects opened fire on the officers but later clarified that CHP personnel shot at the suspects as their vehicle drove toward them.
The officer who was pinned suffered minor injuries in the incident and was taken to an area hospital. They are expected to recover.
Authorities said they are not releasing the names of the suspects or officers involved in the incident at this time.
As per any incident that involves a shooting with an officer, SDPD's Homicide Unit is investigating.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the matter is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or to make an anonymous tips by contacting Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
