CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Two deputies and a motorist suffered injuries after a Crystal River man drove away from an attempted traffic stop Tuesday afternoon.
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office says deputies conducted the traffic stop around 5:30 p.m. near a Sunoco gas station near State Road 44 and Crede Avenue in Crystal River.
The driver, later identified as 39-year-old John Wilson, quickly drove away when the deputies attempted to speak to him.
As Wilson drove off, he injured two deputies and ran his vehicle into their patrol car, according to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies on scene then opened fire at Wilson. Authorities say he hit a motorist as he attempted to elude deputies.
Wilson eventually stopped his vehicle in the parking lot of an Auto Zone on State Road 44. From there, he ran away before deputies eventually caught up and apprehended him.
"This was a very dangerous situation where many lives were put at risk this evening," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "We are extremely thankful that none of our deputies were seriously injured, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the innocent victim who was struck and seriously injured by the suspect as he was fleeing the scene."
The deputy-involved shooting remains under investigation.
