Deputy wounds passenger following chase

A San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy accidentally fired his gun Friday night, hitting the hand of a passenger in a car the deputy had stopped, according to a sheriff's department press release.

The deputy chased a speeding car out of a hardware store parking lot after he saw it doing "doughnuts" during an illegal car show and street racing event. The deputy followed the car to an onramp of southbound Interstate 15, where the car pulled over.

Hugo Anaya, 23, of Mira Loma, was seated in the front passenger seat. The deputy drew his weapon, pointed it at the car and began giving verbal commands to Anaya and the driver. The deputy accidentally fired his weapon, striking the rear of the car. The bullet passed through the car and hit Anaya in the left hand. Anaya was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. He was treated and released.

The driver, Javier Ortiz, 29, of San Bernardino, was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving.

--Doug Haberman
dhaberman@PE.com