VISALIA, Calif. -- Visalia police shot and killed a wanted parolee this afternoon following a police chase and crash ensured by an exchange of gunfire, a Santa Cruz area California Highway Patrol spokesman said today.

Officer Dave Reed said today that Donald Bouchat, 31, allegedly carjacked someone in the Visalia area, which led to a police pursuit ending with a crash into a small business.

A shootout ensued and Bouchat was fatally wounded, according to Reed, who called it "a violent way to die."

It is not clear if Bouchat or the officers initiated the gunfire. Visalia police were not available for comment.

Bouchat had been sought by Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies since Saturday after similar circumstances occurred in Watsonville, resulting in the shooting of a CHP officer, Reed said.

Bouchat, who was wanted for weapons charges in violation of his parole, was spotted leaving the Red Roof Inn in Watsonville Saturday morning.

He led officials on a high-speed chase that ended after he struck a mother and child and rolled his SUV. CHP Officer Jose Cervantes had arrived on the scene at Green Valley Road and Main Street in Watsonville to aid deputies in Bouchat's arrest, but when Cervantes stepped out of his patrol vehicle, Bouchat began firing, striking him in the leg. The suspect then managed to elude authorities for nearly five days before turning up today in Visalia.

Bouchat reportedly has ties to Visalia and a history of escapes, including one in 1997 in which he faked an ankle injury while in custody in Santa Cruz and fled from Dominican Hospital clad in jail garb, barefoot and shackled. He was discovered in Visalia after being on the lam for about a month, according to Santa Cruz County Sheriff's officials.

He was also convicted of aiding in an escape from Tulare County Jail in 1994.

In addition to his weapons and parole violations, Santa Cruz County authorities reported earlier this week that they planned to charge him with multiple burglary counts in connection with the burglaries of the Galli Uniform Co. in Soquel and the Piggie Market in Aptos last month. Authorities allege that he stole a Santa Cruz Police Department badge and several Gortex jackets in the first incident, and an ATM and $20,000 in cash in the second.

According to Reed, 14-year veteran Cervantes is doing well and is "in good spirits." While Bouchat's death likely won't please him, Reed said Cervantes would probably be happy to hear that his shooter is no longer on the loose and a danger to anyone else.