Cops Fatally Shoot Driver as He Backs Over Man Pulled From His Car

 

Costa Mesa, California — On the morning of February 19, 2021, at around 10:15 a.m., Costa Mesa Police Officers Joe Lopez and Eric Molina, both assigned to the Crime Prevention Unit (CPU), were conducting a routine patrol of the La Quinta Inn parking lot. During their patrol, they observed a suspicious situation involving a 2006 Ford Focus, which was parked and occupied by three individuals—two males and one female.

As the officers approached the vehicle, Officer Lopez observed the driver, later identified as Jose David Valdez, slumped forward with his head resting on the steering wheel. Based on the appearance and Valdez’s lack of response, Lopez suspected that he may have recently used drugs, was under the influence, or possibly experiencing a drug overdose—commonly referred to as being “on the nod.” Officer Lopez approached the driver's side, while Officer Molina approached from the passenger side.

Inside the vehicle were two additional occupants. Witness 1, a female, was seated in the front passenger seat, and Witness 2, a male, was in the left rear passenger seat. Officer Lopez recognized Witness 2 from previous narcotics-related investigations. As the officers began interacting with the occupants, Molina conducted a search of Witness 2 and found drug paraphernalia in his possession. He was subsequently handcuffed with his hands behind his back and instructed to sit on the asphalt behind the car.

Lopez, meanwhile, began questioning Valdez and noticed that his left hand was bandaged. Witness 1 informed officers that Valdez had accidentally shot himself in the hand prior to the encounter. She also told police that Valdez had referred to the vehicle as a “G-Ride,” a slang term often used to describe a stolen vehicle.

As the conversation continued, Lopez gave multiple commands instructing Valdez to keep his hands on the steering wheel, but Valdez repeatedly reached toward the center console, his waistband, and the right side of his seat, raising concerns that he may have been attempting to retrieve a weapon. Before officers could take further action, Valdez suddenly started the car, shifted it into reverse, and accelerated.

Molina, who was still near Witness 2, attempted to pull him out of harm’s way, but was unsuccessful. The rear tire of the Ford Focus rolled over Witness 2’s handcuffed hands, causing him to scream in pain. He was then struck by the open passenger-side door and run over by the front right tire. Lopez, who could not see Witness 2’s exact position, heard his screams and feared for his life, later stating, "If he isn't already pinned or dead under there... he's gonna be soon, imminently."

Molina, observing the events unfold, determined that Valdez posed an immediate and deadly threat not only to Witness 2 but also to himself and Witness 1, who remained close by. He drew his weapon and opened fire on the vehicle. Lopez also discharged his firearm, believing that lethal force was necessary to stop the car from causing further harm.

As the Ford Focus reversed, it collided with the officers’ parked patrol car, which caused a momentary stop, giving Molina just enough time to pull Witness 2 away from the vehicle’s path, likely saving his life. Valdez then shifted the car into drive and began moving forward toward the officers. In response, Molina fired four additional rounds through the front windshield, and Lopez fired one more shot from the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Once the vehicle came to a complete stop, Molina assessed Witness 2’s injuries while Lopez approached Valdez, who was now unresponsive. Officers pulled him from the vehicle and began administering CPR until Costa Mesa Fire Department paramedics arrived. Valdez was transported to Orange County Global Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Witness 2 was also taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Ford Focus was later confirmed as a reported stolen vehicle by the Newport Beach Police Department just three days earlier. Inside Valdez’s jacket, officers discovered a Hellcat .380 semi-automatic handgun, loaded with a magazine but without a chambered round.