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Officer Involved Shooting Shuts Down the 215 Freeway, Snarling Traffic

A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy shot and killed a suspect from a helicopter Friday during a high-speed pursuit on a Southern California freeway, Fox 11 in Los Angeles reported. The SUV sped up to 100 miles per hour as it veered along streets and Interstate 215, traveling south in northbound lanes into San Bernardino and sideswiping a vehicle .

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The suspect managed to get out of the Yukon and walked or ran a short distance before collapsing on the right shoulder of the freeway. While authorities searched for the shooter in a rural area, the man opened fire at the helicopter and injured the pilot. Action was needed to prevent “more injuries to the public”, Bozek said.

“It’s a public safety issue once he starts going the wrong way”, Bozek said.

The head-on collision happened in northwest San Bernardino at the Little League Drive freeway overpass, and involved the suspect’s gray Chevy Yukon and a blue Dodge Durango containing three people who had to be hospitalized.

In June 2004, a man armed with a rifle and dressed in fatigues shot an employee of a recycling plant and an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy.

Vehicles were being diverted off at Palm Avenue, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Traffic was backed up until the 210 Freeway as of 2:40 p.m.

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Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said shots were fired after the driver exited the vehicle.

Suspect Dies After Deputy Opens Fire From Helicopter Along 215 Freeway