Deputy Dragged By Vehicle, Injured In Arrest Of Jurupa Valley Man

JURUPA VALLEY, CA — A Riverside County sheriff's deputy who was briefly dragged by a suspect's vehicle after a pursuit was released from a hospital Sunday, authorities said.

The incident began around 5:25 p.m. Saturday when deputies from the Jurupa Valley station conducted a traffic stop near Dodd and 48th Streets, according to Sgt. Edward Soto of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

They ordered 31-year-old Jurupa Valley resident Jeovanni Ramirez out of the vehicle for further investigation, Soto said.

"The driver became uncooperative, re-entered his vehicle, and sped away dragging a deputy a short distance," Soto said. "A vehicle pursuit ensued, ultimately concluding on a steep hillside in the 3600 block of Conning Street."

Deputies in pursuit ordered Ramirez to get out of the vehicle.

"The suspect reversed his vehicle in rapid acceleration in the direction of the deputies, resulting in a deputy-involved shooting," Soto said.

Ramirez was not struck by the gunfire and was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Soto said.

The deputy was not shot, but was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening, the sergeant said.

The deputy who shot at the suspect was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation according to sheriff's department policy, Soto said.

City News Service