Driver dies in fiery crash during chase after Huntington Beach officer is shot and saved by badge

A man suspected of shooting an officer in Huntington Beach before leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit was killed early Friday in a fiery crash in the Cajon Pass.

The case began when officers responded to a report of domestic violence in Huntington Beach at about 12:15 a.m., said Officer Jennifer Marlatt, spokeswoman for the Huntington Beach Police Department.

When officers tried to contact a man involved in the incident, he got in a vehicle and drove away, Marlatt said.

At one point, the man made a U-turn and fired several rounds at officers who were following in the area of Bushard Street and Yorktown Avenue, Marlatt said.

One of the officers was struck in what Marlatt described as “one shot in a million.”

“Looks like one of the rounds struck the badge that he was wearing. He was also wearing his protective vest,” Marlatt said.

The officer was treated and released from a local hospital, Marlatt said.

Another officer returned fire, but the driver, who was not identified, sped away, leading authorities on a chase that topped speeds well over 100 mph, Marlatt said.

The driver sped down the 55, 91 and 15 freeways before eventually losing control of the vehicle and crashing near Cleghorn Road in the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County.

The car erupted in flames, killing the driver, Marlatt said.