A Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy broke an arm during a struggle with a driver Friday night during a traffic stop in Kerman, leaving the deputy hospitalized and the man wanted before he turned himself in hours later. The confrontation unfolded in a Fastrip parking lot and ended with the driver speeding away, a firearm left behind, and a pending list of criminal charges.
According to the Fresno Bee, the deputy conducted the traffic stop in the Fastrip parking lot at about 10:30 p.m. Friday. Deputies said the driver was uncooperative and refused to follow orders from the start of the encounter, setting the stage for the physical altercation that followed.
Driver Forces His Way Back Into Vehicle
As the deputy attempted to detain him, the man forced his way back into the vehicle, the outlet reported. The struggle that ensued left the deputy with a broken arm before the driver managed to get away. The man drove off and was not located nearby, and the injured deputy was taken to the hospital for treatment.
A gun believed to belong to the driver was also found in the area, though the report does not specify who recovered it or exactly where it turned up relative to the Fastrip lot. The driver was not captured at the scene, and for a stretch of time his whereabouts remained unknown to investigators.
Suspect Surrenders, Faces Multiple Charges
The man later turned himself in and is now facing multiple charges, including injuring the deputy, the station's report notes. Details on the man's identity, the deputy's name, and the specific statutory charges he faces have not been made public.
Under California law, injuring a peace officer during the course of their duties can fall under battery statutes such as those outlined in the California Penal Code, which addresses assault and battery against officers performing their duties. It remains unclear which specific statutes prosecutors will apply in this case, and the driver's court status has not been disclosed.
The Kerman incident adds to a string of confrontations between Fresno County law enforcement and uncooperative suspects during routine stops, though no further details about the deputy's recovery or the investigation's next steps were available as of Friday night.
