CHP Officer Douglas Scott
Russell was run down and killed during a high speed chase on
Highway 50 in El Dorado County this afternoon.
The incident began around 12:30 pm
when Rancho Cordova Police were called by a small business
owner to investigate an unresponsive driver who was slumped
over his steering wheel. When officers approached and tapped
on the window, the person in the car started it and took
off, leading police on a chase eastbound on Highway 50 at
speeds reaching up to 100 mph.
At the Hazel Avenue on-ramp, CHP
vehicles took over the pursuit.
The chase ended when CHP officers
deployed a spike strip in an attempt to stop the car.
Reportedly the suspect, David Zanon, swerved toward Officer
Russell, who then fired at him. Zanon hit Officer Russell,
who was outside his car. Zanon then took off on foot, but
was later taken into custody.
Officer Russell was taken to
University of California, Davis Medical Center in
Sacramento, where he arrived in critical condition and later
succumbed to his injuries. Officer Russell is survived by
his wife, Lynn M. Russell.
