ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – An attempted traffic stop on a suspected impaired driver on State Road 207 led to a chase and a deputy shooting at the suspect’s car Friday night, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
According to SJSO, around 11:30 p.m., deputies attempted a traffic stop on Matthew Ross Dalton, 29, who was suspected of driving impaired in the area of SR-207 and SR-312.
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Deputies said Dalton refused to stop and kept going south on SR-207. Deputies then used stop sticks and executed a PIT maneuver to bring the car to a stop on the north onramp to Interstate 95 from SR-207. The car came to a stop facing the wrong way, toward the patrol vehicles.
According to SJSO, during that encounter, Dalton drove toward deputies, which prompted a deputy to shoot his firearm at the car.
Deputies said the suspect continued to drive, and they conducted an additional PIT maneuver near Deerpark Boulevard. That’s when they ultimately pulled Dalton out of the car.
According to deputies, Dalton suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was airlifted to a trauma center where he was treated and released.
SJSO said no deputies or other citizens were injured during this incident.
Dalton was arrested and charged with DUI and fleeing/eluding law enforcement. He remains in St. Johns County Jail.
According to deputies, the SJSO Major Crimes Unit has started a separate investigation into the circumstances of the deputy-involved shooting and additional charges are expected.