Woman, dog fatally shot at end of high-speed chase of stolen car

An El Cajon police officer shot and killed a female passenger and a dog in a stolen car after a high-speed pursuit early Saturday, police said.

The red Toyota compact reached speeds of more than 90 mph and the male driver tried to run over an officer, who opened fire on the car, El Cajon police Lt. Frank La Haye said.

The 25-year old woman was in the front seat of the Toyota. Her name was not released. Two male passengers and the dog were also in the car. The three men were taken into custody, La Haye said.

Officers said the pursuit started near East Main Street and Jamacha Road at 1:25 a.m. when they spotted the stolen vehicle and attempted to pull it over. After initially stopping at the intersection of Walter Way and East Main, the vehicle sped away.

The high-speed chase -- with assistance from the California Highway Patrol -- led to a cul-de-sac on Pierce Street, police said, where the driver made a U-turn and stopped.

Police said an officer got out of his car to talk to the driver when the car sped toward him.

“This officer, fearing for his life, shot at the suspect vehicle,” La Haye said.

Four shots were fired at the Toyota before it rammed a police vehicle and came to a stop, police said.

The three men were arrested but police have yet to release their names. The driver was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and felony evading, and the passengers were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offenses, police said.

Phillip Molnar writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune