Santa Cruz suspect slips out of handcuffs, strikes deputy with patrol car

One suspect is in the hospital with gunshot wounds after officials say she hit a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy with a patrol vehicle, prompting another deputy to shoot her.

It happened at the Ocean Street Extension around 3:30 a.m. Friday morning. Two deputies in seperate patrol cars located two parked cars on the side of the road, one of which had been reported stolen.

Deputies found a man and woman near by. Sheriff Jim Hart says deputies placed the man and woman in handcuffs and put them in separate patrol cars.”While deputies interviewed the man, the woman was able to slip out of her handcuffs, reach through a partially open window in the patrol car and open the door.”

The suspect was able to open the driver door then drove towards deputies, “without warning drove the vehicle directly at deputies striking him and damaging both patrol cars. the deputy was temporarily incapacitated and rather than fleeing the scene the woman continued to re-engage driving the car back and forth at them.”

The uninjured Deputy fired three shots at the woman. They took life-saving measures on scene and she was eventually life flighted to the hospital.

The Deputy who was struck was also taken to the hospital, he is said to be okay and has been released, but will be required to have a follow up treatment.

The man is complying with investigators. It will be up to the District Attorney if he will face any charges.

As for the woman, Sheriff Hart says, “when released from the hospital the woman will be booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail for attempted murder on a police officer and other charges.”

The couple is said to have ties to the area and law enforcement has dealt with them in the past.

PREVIOUS STORY:

One woman is in the hospital with gunshot wounds after officials say she tried to take off in a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle, and struck the Deputy.

It happened at the Ocean Street Extension around 3:30 a.m. Friday morning.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, two deputies were in the area and made contact with a man and woman they believe were related to stolen vehicles.

Deputies placed the man and woman in handcuffs and put them in separate patrol cars.

In the back of one vehicle, the woman was able to slip out of the cuffs and took off in the patrol car. She struck one Deputy. One of the Deputies fired three shots at the woman, and she was life flighted to the hospital.

The Deputy is said to be okay with minor injuries, but will be required to have a follow up treatment.

When the woman is out of the hospital she will be charged with Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer.

The man is complying with officials. The couple is said to have ties to the area and law enforcement has dealt with them in the past.

This story is developing, KION’s Ashley Keehn is on scene and will have more.

Stay with KION as we continue to update this story.