VIDEO: California Deputies Shoot Wrong-Way Driver from Helicopter, Ending Vehicle Pursuit
San Bernardino County, Calif., sheriff's deputies in a helicopter shot a home invasion suspect involved in a dangerous wrong-way chase and car crash on the northbound 215 Freeway Friday afternoon.
On Saturday, the coroner's office identified the suspect as Nicholas Alan Johnson, 32, of Fontana.
The suspect led authorities on a chase through surface streets in Fontana and San Bernardino before he started driving the wrong way in the northbound lanes of the 215 Freeway. The suspect's vehicle reportedly reached speeds in excess of 100 mph and sideswiped a car during the pursuit.
Deputies inside a sheriff's helicopter realized the suspect was a threat to the public's safety and began firing shots at his car. He then bailed out of the moving vehicle, which then crashed head-on into a blue Dodge Durango.
The suspect eventually collapsed on the side of the road not far from the crash and died. Authorities told KABC TV the suspect was struck by gunfire but were not sure if his death was caused by the gunshot wound.