San Diego police kill car driver, say he was speeding toward them

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

San Diego police shot and killed a 21-year-old man and wounded a 19-year-old woman after the man drove directly at officers to avoid being stopped for a possible speeding violation, Police Department officials said Saturday.

The incident began about 1:15 a.m. in the Encanto neighborhood as a high-speed pursuit. The car being pursued drove into a vacant lot.

Instead of fleeing on foot, as police expected, the driver made a U-turn and drove directly toward the officers, according to Lt. Ernie Herbert of the police homicide unit.

Three officers opened fire when the driver refused commands to yield. The driver was dead at the scene, the woman was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to her shoulder. A second passenger, an 18-year-old man, was not injured, police said.

Investigation showed that the car had been stolen, Herbert said.

No names were released. The officers were described as veterans of four, five and six years on the department.

ALSO:

Jimmy Kimmel invited to Humboldt State after pot jokes

Junior Seau had brain disease at time of suicide, tests show

Taft Union school shooting: Panicked parents rush to students

-- Tony Perry in San Diego