Driver Wounded by CHP Officer

A 22-year-old Norwalk man, ordered to stop on suspicion of drunk driving, was shot several times when he allegedly attempted to run down a California Highway Patrol officer late Christmas night in Downey, the CHP said.

Daniel Castillo sustained major gunshot injuries and was listed in serious condition at St. Francis Hospital in Lynwood, the CHP said.

Wendy Moore, a CHP spokeswoman, said Castillo may be charged with assault on a peace officer and other offenses. Results of a blood-alcohol test are pending.

Between 6 p.m. Friday night and midnight Tuesday, the CHP made 322 drunk-driving arrests in the Los Angeles area and 1,426 statewide, Moore said.

The figures were not comparable with last year, since last year was only a three-day holiday.

Suffering a grazing gunshot wound to the leg was a companion of Castillo, a 14-year-old who fled the scene but was caught by Downey police a short distance away, Moore said.

The youth, who was not seriously hurt, was booked at Los Padrinos juvenile facility.

The incident began at 10:44 p.m. Tuesday when a CHP motorcycle sergeant stopped Castillo near the intersection of Dollison Drive and Fairford Avenue in Downey, Moore said.

“As the officer pulled in behind the vehicle, a Ford Aerostar van, the vehicle rapidly accelerated to the rear, attempting to strike the officer still sitting on his motorcycle,” a CHP account said.

The officer, a 14-year member of the force, jumped to safety as the van sped past him, narrowly missing the motorcycle, the CHP account said.

The van then began moving forward, toward the officer, striking his motorcycle. “The officer, fearing for his life, drew his weapon and fired several shots at the suspect,” the CHP account said.

Moore said the officer, who in accord with CHP procedure was not identified, was not struck and came away from the incident unhurt.

The CHP account said Castillo stopped momentarily after the shooting and his companion ran away on foot.

Castillo then drove away, but was located by sheriff’s deputies about 10 minutes later.