National City
National City undercover officers shot a suspected drug dealer Thursday after a brief car chase ended in a crash, police said.
Police said officers bought drugs from Michael Ismael Valadez, 27, then followed him as he drove onto northbound Interstate 805 about 1 p.m. When patrol cars tried to stop him, Valadez accelerated, Lt. Merrel Davis said.
Valadez, with three police cars close behind, exited at 47th Street in San Diego, police said, and lost control at Alpha Street, where he spun out into the front yard of a house and fled on foot.
Sgt. Don Berstler chased Valadez and ordered him to stop, but Valadez ignored the command and instead made a move to reach into his clothing, police said. Berstler fired two shots, hitting Valadez in the leg. He was in good condition at Mercy Hospital Thursday night, hospital officials said.
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