Downey Police Shoot, Kill Alleged Assailant
Downey police said officers shot and killed a suspected drunk driver who tried to run officers down during a 12-minute chase early Friday.
It was the third time in eight months that Downey police have been involved in a shooting in which investigators said a suspected drunk driver tried to hit officers.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. March 13, 2002 FOR THE RECORD
Los Angeles Times Wednesday March 13, 2002 Valley Edition Main News Part A Page 2 A2 Desk 2 inches; 57 words Type of Material: Correction
Downey shooting--A story in the California section Feb. 16 about Downey police shooting a suspected drunk driver who allegedly tried to run down officers incorrectly reported it was the third such case involving Downey officers in eight months. Police reports show the first case cited, following an armed robbery, did not involve allegations of drunk driving. The second shooting was by a CHP officer.
In the other incidents, in December and June, the drivers were only wounded.
Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, said that in accord with policy for fatal police shootings, a deputy district attorney would investigate. The coroner’s office said the man had not been identified. Downey Police Lt. Jim McCulloch gave no estimated age or description and would not say if the man had been armed.
McCulloch said the chase, which followed both the Santa Ana and 605 freeways, ended up in a Downey neighborhood near Newville Avenue and Farm Street, where the man was shot after his Buick Regal struck another car.
The lieutenant said the attempt to run officers down occurred a few minutes before the shooting, when the man drove down an embankment and then turned and came back toward officers and the freeway.
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