Sheriff: Deputy shot driver to avoid being crushed by truck

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- A Florida sheriff says his deputy was seconds away from being crushed by a pickup truck when he opened fire on the driver during a traffic stop.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler said Lt. Shawn Gordon jumped onto the truck as it backed toward him at a "high rate of speed" during a Sunday night traffic stop. Driver Timothy Van Griffin remains in critical condition.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. Beasler says his office will also do an internal investigation.

Robert Malley III told CBS affiliate WJAX that he witnessed the incident. He said the suspect pulled into a driveway while trying to get away from deputies, but Gordon found him and the suspect threw his truck in reverse as Gordon approached.

"He tried to run the officer over who was already out of his car, and then the officer discharged his weapon," said Malley. "I counted four shots just trying to stop the individual who just tried to clearly run him over."

The truck struck the patrol car and pushed it backward, officials said.

A man and a woman claiming to be Van Griffin's parents told WJAX that the suspect was shot five times and is in intensive care.

The parents say Van Griffin was not carrying a weapon at the time of the shooting.