Suspect Dies As Chopper Cop Shoots Getaway Car

[Gimli]

Suspect Dies As Chopper Cop Shoots Getaway Car

As the deputy opens fire from a helicopter, the suspect leaps from the moving vehicle, which crashes headfirst into another car.

19:20, UK, Saturday 19 September 2015

TV reports showed a number of bullet holes in the vehicle

By Sky News US Team

A suspected burglar has died after a sheriff's deputy in a helicopter riddled the fugitive's car with bullets during a highway chase.

Authorities said they called in air support as the man led them on a 100mph chase down a Southern California freeway.

Police began pursuing the robbery suspect from Fontana, near Los Angles, at around midday on Friday.

The vehicle began racing the wrong way down the northbound Interstate 215 into San Bernardino, sideswiping a car, said officials.

The suspect jumped out of the speeding SUV, which hit another vehicle

The dangerous driving prompted a deputy to open fire on the grey Chevrolet Tahoe from a helicopter.

The driver jumped out of the speeding SUV, which crashed headfirst into a Dodge Durango, injuring three people in that vehicle, one critically.

The fleeing driver continued on foot along the highway until he collapsed near an overpass. He died at the scene.

Police said it was rare for deputies to open fire from helicopters

TV reports showed a number of bullet holes on the roof and windscreen of the vehicle.

It is not clear if the suspect was struck by gunfire or if he was fatally injured when he leapt from the vehicle.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office said it was rare for deputies to open fire from helicopters, but they are trained to do so.

"It's a public-safety issue," Deputy Olivia Bozek said.

"Once he starts going the wrong way, obviously he doesn't care about passengers or pedestrians or other cars that are around."