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.