CHP fire shot at driver in stolen car who they say swerved into officers
CHP fire shot at driver in stolen car who they say swerved into officers
A suspect in a stolen car allegedly swerved as if to hit a California Highway Patrol officer early Thursday morning in Hayward prompting him to fire off one shot at the fleeing silver Toyota, a spokesman said. Police are seeking a suspect between 20-30 years old with red hair and possibly with face tattoos.
HAYWARD, Calif. - A suspect in a stolen car allegedly swerved as if to hit a California Highway Patrol officer early Thursday morning in Hayward prompting him to fire off one shot at the fleeing silver Toyota, a spokesman said.
CHP officer Dustin Kennerly said that officers had been in the area of Tarman Avenue and Jackson Street about 2:30 a.m. on an unrelated traffic stop when a passerby told them that someone was passed out behind the wheel of a nearby car.
Officers ran the plate and discovered the Toyota had been stolen, Kennerley said, and so they put spike strips in front of it and drew their guns.
Officers tried to wake up the passed out driver and when he woke up, Kennerley said he appeared to drive toward them and swerve left into an officer.
"They ordered him out of the vehicle and he was not compliant," said Sgt. Roberto Iniguez. "He was willfully, actually according to the officers. He was saying ‘I didn’t do anything. I’m not getting out.’ He was actively refusing to comply with our directions. And after about less than a minute, he puts the vehicle in drive and drives off... Swerves towards an officer that was to his left front. The officer, fearing for his life, shot off one round in the suspect's direction.”
One round hit the suspect's car before he drove off.
One officer was injured when he jumped out of the way and stepped on a road spike strip. That spike punctured the officer’s foot, but he was treated at the scene and is reported in good condition.
The suspect is described as a white man between 20 to 30 years old, with red hair, and possibly with tattoos on his face, driving a silver four-door Toyota, possibly a Camry. Investigators say the car has front end damage.