A San Juan County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been placed on administrative leave after shooting at a vehicle that reversed its direction and collided with his patrol car during a traffic stop about 5 a.m. Friday.
The deputy first tried to pull the driver over for operating a vehicle with unlighted headlamps, but the driver fled, said a news release from Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kristi Hughes.
A short time later, Sheriff’s Office personnel again tried to pull over the driver, identified as Lacy Shay Gomez, 29, but she reportedly fled a second time.
Sheriff’s Office personnel began to pursue the vehicle near Murray Boulevard and South Butler Avenue and East Murray Drive in Farmington. Gomez again stopped, but as the deputy began giving commands, the suspect reportedly reversed her vehicle, striking the stopped patrol vehicle. In response, the deputy fired once at the vehicle, the news release said.
Gomez again fled, but other officers blocked her escape. She stopped and was taken into custody. No injuries were reported.
The deputy was placed on administrative leave according to department policy. The incident remains under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Farmington Police Department, the primary investigating agency, at (505) 599-1068.
