The California Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into a deadly police shooting involving Escondido Police Department (EPD) officers, after a high-speed chase ended in a crash and fatal shooting on Interstate 15 near the Miramar area on Friday evening.
The DOJ’s investigation is being conducted under Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), which mandates state-level reviews of any incident where law enforcement fatally shoots an unarmed individual. This latest case—occurring during peak holiday traffic—has drawn attention from legal observers, community members, and civil rights advocates alike.
According to initial reports, the incident began around 4:00 p.m. in Escondido, when officers initiated a pursuit of a black SUV for reasons that have not yet been publicly disclosed. The chase continued southbound along I-15 for approximately an hour and ended near the SR-163 interchange, where the fleeing SUV crashed into a sedan.
Immediately after the crash, multiple Escondido police officers surrounded the SUV. Witnesses observed plainclothes officers in tactical vests, joined by uniformed personnel. While specifics remain unclear, at least one officer opened fire into the vehicle, striking the female driver.
The woman driving the SUV was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital after being shot. The California DOJ confirmed the following day that she succumbed to her injuries, triggering the AB 1506-mandated investigation.
Authorities have not yet released her identity. No weapons were recovered from the vehicle, according to early reports, but this has not been officially confirmed. If it’s determined that the woman was unarmed, the shooting may raise serious legal and civil rights implications for the officers and department involved.
Details remain scarce regarding why the pursuit was initiated and what led officers to discharge their weapons. EPD Lt. Ryan Hicks stated that “several officers were involved,” but did not specify how many discharged their firearms or what threat level was perceived at the time of the shooting.
No injuries were reported among law enforcement officers or the driver of the sedan involved in the crash. That driver’s airbag was deployed, and they were reportedly unharmed.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be handling the crash investigation, while the DOJ will oversee the shooting review. Aerial support was provided by San Diego PD’s ABLE helicopter unit during the chase.
This tragic incident is the latest in a growing list of officer-involved shootings in California under DOJ review. While criminal charges against police officers are rare, civil lawsuits are often the only path for families to pursue justice, accountability, and compensation for wrongful deaths caused by excessive or unjustified use of force.
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If a loved one has been killed in an officer-involved shooting in CA, you deserve answers and legal representation. Our team, led by Michael Haggard, Esq., has extensive experience holding powerful entities accountable for civil rights violations and fatal negligence.
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Contact Haggard Crime Victim Attorney today for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly review your case, provide compassionate legal guidance, and help you navigate the complex process of filing a wrongful death claim against law enforcement.
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