California: Deputy fatally shoots South L.A. DUI suspect who hit him with car

A man in his 40s was shot and killed by an L.A. County sheriff’s deputy in South Los Angeles at the end of a brief pursuit, authorities said today.

The shooting occurred in the 400 block of West 111th Street at 11:57 p.m. Monday, said sheriff’s Deputy Mike Barraza. Sheriff’s Lt. Victor Lewandowski added that the deputy was struck by the suspect’s vehicle and suffered a minor leg injury.

The chase began a few minutes earlier near Century Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, where deputies saw a possibly intoxicated motorist driving recklessly, the sheriff’s department reported.

The pursuit went about a mile into the city of Los Angeles, “at which time, he drove into a cul-de-sac (in the) area of 400 West 111th Street,” a sheriff’s statement said.

“As the suspect turned his vehicle around and faced the deputies, a female adult passenger immediately exited the vehicle,” Barraza said in a statement. “The suspect then accelerated his vehicle towards the passenger side of the patrol car where a deputy was standing.” Then, “the suspect struck the patrol car, at which time the deputy, fearing for his safety, fired multiple rounds and struck the suspect,” Barraza said.

The wounded man died at the scene. His name was not immediately released. The female passenger was detained for questioning.

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