Kings County deputies respond to gunshots in rural Kings County

He immediately broadcasted this information, and a nearby deputy heard the shots and checked the area.

The deputy found a silver Kia Optima traveling north on 16th Avenue at nearly 100 miles per hour. The deputy attempted to stop the Kia, but the driver of the Kia refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. The driver was later identified as suspect Andrew Diaz, 19. Diaz had a female passenger, Madison Martinez.

Diaz drove the Kia north on 16th Avenue, reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour, and he failed to stop for stop signs. The suspect turned east onto Highway 198 and continued to evade law enforcement. He exited Highway 198 at 13th Avenue and drove east on Hanford Armona Road toward Hanford.

Due to the suspect’s reckless driving, the pursuing deputy ended the pursuit in the interest of public safety. The deputy drove in the same direction as Diaz and saw him swerving all over the road. The suspect ran several cars off the road and struck a subject riding a motorcycle. The motorcycle rider sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. 

At this point, traffic had lightened up, and the deputy re-initiated the pursuit. Diaz proceeded north on Irwin Street and struck the center divider shortly after, where his car became undrivable. The suspects ran from the car but were quickly captured by authorities.

During a search of the Kia, deputies located an AR-15-style rifle, three 30-round magazines, and ammunition. The rifle did not contain serial numbers, which made it untraceable.

Andrew admitted to firing the rifle near 16th Avenue and Jersey Avenue. Deputies searched that area and located 65 spent .223 shell casings.

Deputies booked Diaz into Kings County Jail and charged him with evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, hit and run resulting in death or injuries, illegally possessing an assault weapon, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of an undetectable firearm and resisting arrest. His bail was set at $125,000.

Deputies booked Madison Martinez into the Kings County Jail for resisting arrest, and she was later released.