A high-speed pursuit began when authorities received a call that a man had passed out in his sport-utility vehicle in the drive thru of an Anaheim restaurant, and ended early Saturday in shots fired.
The pursued driver was injured in the incident, police said, adding that the man’s injuries appeared to be minor. They did not confirm whether he was injured because of the shooting or the crash. Authorities said they did not believe any law enforcement agents were hurt.
The driver had apparently passed out in the McDonald’s drive-thru near Beach Boulevard and Katella Avenue, officials said. When deputies tried to approach the man, he took off, jumping the curb and hitting a sign post. He also slammed into a patrol unit with a deputy inside.
Police said they performed a PIT maneuver to force the driver to a halt. His SUV spun out of control and crashed near Ball Road and Gilbert Street, in front of a second McDonald’s restaurant nearly two miles from where the chase began.
Capt. Steve Doan, with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, said that at some point during the pursuit, shots were fired, authorities said.
The wanted motorist was taken into custody, police said.
Doan speculated that the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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"He's driving at high rate of speed, he's ramming police officers in marked patrol units – so he's already exhibited the fact that he’s going to be danger to people on the road," Doan said.
