We’ve seen a number of police chases over the years, but few can compare to the one that took place in California last night.
According to NBC News and NBC Los Angeles, police were notified about a reckless driver who appeared to be under the influence.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle near the Palmdale Regional Airport, but this ended up sparking a chase that would last for over an hour.
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While car chases aren’t too uncommon, this one stands out for a number of reasons. In particular, NBC Los Angeles says the Audi’s hood flipped open and blocked the windscreen after it crashed through a gate at Lockheed Martin. Despite not being able to see, the driver continued to elude police.
If that wasn’t scary enough, the station says the driver and passenger shot at deputies and “several bullet holes could be seen in the windshield of [a] deputy’s patrol car.” They didn’t just target police cars either as the duo reportedly fired at a sheriff’s helicopter as well.
Authorities didn’t return fire, but they did deploy spike sticks in an attempt to bring the vehicle to a halt. They reportedly managed to puncture two tires, but the pursuit continued as sparks began flying from the damaged vehicle.
After driving in this condition for a little bit, the driver decided to abandon the vehicle. They jumped out of the car and tumbled down a hill, before attempting to cross a freeway on foot.
This is was a horrible decision as the driver got hit by oncoming traffic and fell to the ground. Police then surround him and open fire, apparently hitting the man in the leg. He was then taken into custody, while his passenger was “arrested nearby.”
The investigation is still ongoing, but the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station said “We are very thankful this morning that all our deputies involved in last night’s pursuit are safe and were not injured.”
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