Suspect dead after ramming semi-truck cab into deputy vehicle during Yucca Valley chase that ends in shooting

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- A suspect is dead following a chase with deputies that spanned nearly 50 miles and ended with a deputy-involved shooting in Yucca Valley Sunday night.

Deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department were in pursuit of a semi-truck cab overnight, which started shortly after 9:30 p.m. in Apple Valley.

Investigators said the incident started as a possible burglary-in-progress call. When deputies attempted to pull the driver over, he refused to stop. They said the suspect also attempted to run down a deputy deploying a spike strip and opened fire on another deputy.

"The second deployment of spike strips was when the suspect was firing at the deputies. The sheriff's aviation at that time was given permission to disable that vehicle," said Jodi Miller of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The chase continued onto Highway 62, where Shahanee Diaz and her brother witnessed what happened next.

"He suddenly made a U-turn onto the median, and he went into oncoming traffic," Diaz said. "That's when a police car cut in front of him, and he just started dragging him, and that's when shots were fired."

Dramatic cellphone video taken by Diaz shows the suspect vehicle plowing in and pushing a deputy's vehicle, causing significant damage to the patrol unit.

The semi-truck crashed into thick brush just off the highway.

The suspect was struck by gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene. One deputy sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention.

Highway 62 was shut down as the investigation was underway.