Deputies Kill Driver They Say Tried to Hit Them

Two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a transient who tried to run them down with a stolen car as they approached him early Thursday in Canyon Country, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman said.

The transient, Michael Schernewark, 36, was pronounced dead at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, and his 18-year-old female companion was treated at the hospital for minor injuries received when the car continued past the deputies and crashed into a parked car, Deputy Chris Robbins said. The woman’s name and address were not disclosed.

Deputies Dennis Bernard, 44, and Neal Hickerson, 27, were not hurt, Robbins said.

Bernard and Hickerson had chased the Ford Mustang in their patrol car after they saw it speeding north on Sierra Highway about midnight, according to Robbins. They caught up to the automobile when it parked in a carport behind an apartment building in the 18000 block of Beneda Lane, he said.

As the deputies approached the car to question Schernewark, he revved the engine and accelerated quickly toward them, Robbins said. The deputies fired several times, killing Schernewark, he said.

Investigators did not disclose whether the Mustang was moving forward or was in reverse when the deputies fired.

The car had been reported as stolen to the Los Angeles Police Department on Monday.

Bernard is a 10-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, and Hickerson has been a deputy for six years. The two were assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley substation.