Felony charges are expected to be filed Tuesday against a 26-year-old man who allegedly struck a deputy while trying to get away during a pursuit in Moreno Valley, culminating in a deputy-involved shooting.
Quinton Howard of Moreno Valley was arrested on Nov. 20 and booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of assault on a peace officer and felony evading following the confrontation with patrol deputies on the west side of the city.
Howard is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Lionel Murphy, about 8:40 p.m. on Nov. 20, a patrol unit attempted to stop him for alleged drunken driving in the area of Goldfinch Street and Lark Haven Drive, but the suspect allegedly floored his sedan, prompting deputies to give chase.
Murphy said the brief pursuit abruptly stopped when Howard tried to enter a gated apartment complex parking lot near the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and Heacock Street, but was unable to gain access.
“As deputies exited their patrol unit, the driver reversed and struck one of the deputies,” Murphy said. “It was at this time that a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”
Murphy said the suspect was hit, but nothing else was disclosed regarding the non-life-threatening wound.
A passenger in the vehicle was detained but ultimately not arrested.
Both Howard and the injured deputy, whose name was not released, were taken to Riverside University Medical Center for treatment.
The deputy was released a few hours later and sent home to recuperate, according to sheriff’s officials.
Howard spent several days under medical supervision before being placed in a jail cell.
Court records indicate he has separate pending cases and a prior conviction in Riverside County, but no other details were available.