Mesa police involved in shooting with man who allegedly rammed them with vehicle

PHOENIX — Mesa police were involved in a shooting with a man late Thursday night who allegedly rammed them with a vehicle after failing to stop for a civil traffic offense, authorities said.

Joaquin Santiago Orozco, 23, was booked into jail on various charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated DUI and unlawful flight from law enforcement following the incident, the Mesa Police Department said in a press release.

Orozco allegedly fled from officers at 11 p.m. near Mesa Drive and Broadway Road.

The officers, who were driving in their patrol car, lost sight of the vehicle but stayed in the area.

While driving on Franklin Avenue, the officers were allegedly struck by Orozco as he made a right-hand turn from Pioneer.

Orozco then collided with an occupied parked vehicle, authorities said.

The officers got out of their patrol car and fired at Orozco as he started to reverse the vehicle, authorities said.

Orozco fled the area in his vehicle, which was later found unoccupied after colliding with an unoccupied parked vehicle, authorities said.

Officers made contact with another stopped car at Center Street and 8th Avenue where they allegedly found Orozco sitting on the lap of the front seat passenger.

Orozco, who was shirtless and had a cut on his face, allegedly got out of the vehicle and ran from the officer before being taken into custody without further issue.

Orozco has no serious injuries and was not struck by the gunfire, authorities said.

One of the officers involved in the incident suffered a head injury as a result of the collision and was taken to the hospital for treatment, authorities said. The officer was later released from the hospital.

The other officer and the occupant of the parked vehicle that was allegedly struck by Orozco were not injured, authorities said.

No additional information was immediately available.

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