STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. — The Stanislaus County Sheriff has identified a deputy who shot a teenage driver following an early-morning car chase in Modesto earlier this week.
According to Stanislaus County Sheriff's spokesperson Sgt. Luke Schwartz identified Field Training Officer Gerardo Zazueta as the officer who shot the teenager.
Zazueta worked for the Stanislaus Sheriff's Office for four years, according to Schwartz. Zazueta is currently on administrative duty.
On the night of the incident, Stanislaus County deputies attempted to pull over a car for a traffic violation, and the driver did not pull over, according to investigators. There were five teenagers in the vehicle at the time of the incident, including the 17-year-old driver.
During the chase, investigators claim the driver attempted to “use the car as a weapon” by driving at the pursuing law enforcement vehicles.
The 17-year-old driver was shot at least one time by deputies and sustained critical injuries. The other four teens were examined, treated, and released by first responders.
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