CHP: Officer wounded when motorist suddenly lunged for gun

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A California Highway Patrol officer shot in the leg on a San Diego freeway was wounded during a struggle with a motorist involved in a single-vehicle crash who lunged for the officer’s firearm, authorities said Thursday.

The shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon when the officer responded to the crash on the center median of Interstate 8 at the Interstate 805 overcrossing, a CHP statement said.

The motorist, Yuhao Du, 25, of San Diego, suddenly attacked and attempted to take control of the officer’s firearm, the statement said.

“During the struggle, one round discharged and struck the officer in the leg,” it said. “The struggle continued, at which point several passing motorists stopped to assist the injured officer by providing medical aid and restraining Du until additional law enforcement arrived.”

The officer, whose name was not released, was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital in stable condition.

Du was arrested for investigation of attempted murder of a peace officer and other crimes. Online inmate information showed Du was being held at the San Diego Central Jail and was not eligible for release. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.

The CHP thanked the motorists who stopped to help the wounded officer.