Wrong-way driver dies after helicopter freeway shooting

Authorities say a wrong-way freeway driver has died in California after being shot from a San Bernardino County sheriff’s helicopter during a chase.

The Tahoe, however, remained in motion after the driver abandoned it, and it and struck a Dodge Durango.

While the suspect began traveling in oncoming lanes, deputies turned over the chase to a sheriff’s helicopter crew, she said.

The three passengers in the vehicle his auto hit were taken to the hospital and their condition remains unknown. The driver jumped from his still-moving SUV and collapsed.

“It doesn’t happen every day, for certain, but our deputies our trained to fire from the helicopter”, Filer said.

Bozek continued on to assert that because the pursuit had reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour on surface streets, the shooting was needed to prevent “more injuries to the public”, despite the fact that the suspect had already exited his vehicle. That information is pending an autopsy, Bozek said. The two SUVs at the scene had severe front-end damage.

Northbound lanes were blocked north of Devore Road. The closures were causing a backup all the way to the 210 Freeway.

It’s unclear how long the intersection of the northbound I-215 Freeway at Palm Avenue and Kendall Drive will be closed as officers investigate the incident, Filer said.

Caltrans District 8 warned that all traffic through the High Desert would be impacted through the Friday evening commute.

At some point, Bozek said, at least one shot was sacked at the suspect from the helicopter. The story has been updated.