VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (KGTV) – The San Diego Sheriff’s Department has identified the suspect in an early-morning chase as 22-year-old Kevin Meza.
The chase started around 3 a.m. after deputies spotted a van that had been reported stolen in the parking lot of Valley View Casino, according to the department.
The department says the Meza yielded, but when deputies approached the van, he attempted to hit one of the deputies with the vehicle causing a deputy-involved shooting.
After fleeing the scene, Meza reached a dead end and intentionally drove towards deputies, colliding with two different vehicles.
Both the deputy and the suspect were treated for their injuries and released. During the shooting, a dog believed to belong to Meza was injured. The dog was taken to an animal and is recovering.
Meza was arrested on multiple charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, vehicle theft, felony evading a peace officer with injury, three counts of assault on a peace officer, and one count of resisting arrest with injury.
Meza is currently being held on $335,000 bail. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
