Cops: High speed pursuit began after suspect struck deputy with car

Joshua Keplinger, 23, of Bermuda Dunes, led police on a high speed pursuit through Indio, La Quinta, and Palm Desert
(Twitter / RCSD)
Joshua Keplinger, 23, of Bermuda Dunes, led police on a high speed pursuit through Indio, La Quinta, and Palm Desert
(Twitter / RCSD)

Tuesday’s crazy high speed pursuit through Indio, La Quinta, and Palm Desert began when a suspect hit a deputy with his car when the officer tried to talk to him about a vehicle that was shot.

Police were investigating reports of a possible shooting near Avenue 42 and Jefferson Street around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, reports the Desert Sun. When officers approached a possible suspect inside a car on Dr. Carreon Boulevard in Indio, the man hit a deputy with his car and then drove away.

The suspect, 23-year-old Joshua Keplinger, then led officers on a high speed pursuit at speeds of over 85 miles per hour on Coachella Valley roads, according to KESQ. At one point, a Sheriff’s cruiser rolled over during the pursuit and another deputy crashed his car into a bystander’s vehicle.

The deputies and bystander were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Keplinger was arrested eventually arrested in an Applebee’s parking lot on Cook Street in Palm Desert on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and felony evading causing serious injury.

Here is video of the arrest:

#BreakingNews Palm Desert Police arrest the driver who led them on a high speed pursuit throughout the valley. Our own Kitty Alvarado and Julie Buehler are live on the scene and will bring you team coverage starting at 5pm. Tune into KMIR News for updates on this breaking news.

Posted by KMIR News on Tuesday, May 10, 2016

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