Palanca, who works in the Lakewood station, continues fighting for her life in the hospital after first being assaulted by one suspect and then run over by another.
She had responded Monday evening to a call of a person acting erratically in the 8500 block of Alondra Boulevard.
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Before she could even get out of her car, the suspect started attacking her, punching her through the window of the cruiser, according to Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
She got out of the car and gave chase to the suspect on foot through a nearby parking lot.
Suspect in custody after LASD deputy struck by vehicle in Paramount
As the foot chase crossed Alondra and Downey Avenue, she was struck by a Chevrolet Suburban heading eastbound.
The collision left her severely injured. She was transported by ambulance to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, where she was listed in critical condition.
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"It's tough to see one of our own in the ICU," Sheriff Alex Villanueva tweeted. "My wife and I said a prayer for our @LKDLASD Deputy, Dakota Palanca, please keep her in your prayers. #SheriffV #LASD."
Other deputies who had responded to the scene took the original suspect into custody and booked him for assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer.
Villanueva says the driver of the Suburban was driving under the influence and was arrested for felony DUI.