SJSO: Man shot by St. Johns County deputy while fleeing from traffic stop on FL 207
An investigation is underway after a man was shot during a chase by deputies on Florida 207 Friday night, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
Matthew Ross Dalton, 29, is accused of driving under the influence and fleeing law enforcement after deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop near 207 and Florida 312 around 11:30 p.m. Deputies said Dalton fled the traffic stop and drove south on 207, leading to a chase.
Deputies used stop sticks and a PIT maneuver, stopping Dalton's vehicle on the north onramp to Interstate 95 from 207.
According to the Sheriff's Office, after the deputies exited their vehicles to take Dalton into custody, he drove toward them. In response, one of the deputies shot into the vehicle.
Dalton continued to flee and another PIT maneuver was used on his vehicle on 207 at Deerpark Boulevard, where deputies removed him from the vehicle.
Dalton was shot in the leg and was taken via helicopter to a trauma center, the Sheriff's Office said.
He was treated, released and booked into the St. Johns County jail on charges of DUI and fleeing and eluding law enforcement. No one else was hurt during the incident.
Additional charges are expected.
This follows a May 21 shooting death of another suspect by a St. Johns deputy and deputy marshal during a multi-agency task for attempt to arrest a sexual assault and murder suspect in Jacksonville.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: A St. Johns County sheriff's deputy shoots man fleeing a traffic stop
