CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL - Driver Killed During Shootout With CHP Officers in Riverside County: Authorities

California Highway Patrol officers shot and killed a driver who opened fire on them during a traffic stop in Riverside County early Saturday morning, authorities said.

The officers pulled over a truck about 1:45 a.m. on East La Cadena Drive, west of Iowa Avenue, in the unincorporated Highgrove area, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The driver of the vehicle, a silver Dodge pickup, began shooting at the officers and struck their patrol car, the statement said.

The officers returned fire, hitting the driver and the truck, officials said. Meanwhile, a passenger exited the Dodge and fled on foot.

According to the news release, the wounded individual drove away from the scene and crashed into a chain-link fence a short distance away. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officers were not injured in the incident.

The passenger remained at large.

Following a request from the Highway Patrol, the sheriff’s Homicide Unit responded to the location and assumed the investigation.

The deceased person was not immediately identified.

The officers were placed on administrative leave, in accordance with CHP policy, the statement said, adding that their names “will not be released at this time.”

Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call sheriff’s homicide investigator Bishop at 951-955-2777.