Authorities received a call about the suspect disturbing guests at a Motel 6 on Harbor Boulevard. Gary Robedeau heard the commotion from his room around 7 p.m. Thursday. He said the suspect was shouting about wanting "rock cocaine."
The officers confronted the man, but somehow he slipped their grasps.
"The next thing I know, I hear the vehicle start, the throttle go to the floor and crash," Robedeau said. "The police officer was laying on the ground."
The cop was one of two veteran female Ventura officers rammed by a pickup before the driver was shot and killed, police said.
"At that point where he ran over the officer, the car lifted up. You could actually physically see it lift up and went over the officer," said Ventura Police Asst. Chief David Wilson.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was declared dead at the scene.
"The other officer, she was busting caps as she ran by my door. Casings were flying," Robedeau said.
Both the officers were injured but are expected to survive. One officer was released from the hospital Thursday night. Both officers have been on the force for more than 10 years.
"He was a pretty passive guy. I met him a few times out here. I gave him cigarettes. He didn't have much money. I don't know, he just went off," Robedeau said.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information related to the case should contact the Ventura Police Department at (805) 339-4441.
