Hillsborough deputies were searching Wednesday for a motorist who rammed a deputy's patrol car during a traffic stop, drawing gunfire from the deputy as the motorist drove away, the Sheriff's Office said.
The deputy, whose name was not immediately released, was on his way to an aggravated battery call at 3701 E. Highway 92 when he spotted a car suspected to be involved in the call, the Sheriff's Office said.
The deputy stopped the car on Woodrow Wilson Street, but when he started to get out of his car, the driver backed up, ramming the front of the patrol car and knocking the deputy to the ground.
Fearing for his life, the deputy fired his service weapon at least once, the Sheriff's Office said. The suspect drove away.
Deputies located the suspect's abandoned car near the intersection of South Woodrow Wilson and Sammonds Road and began searching for the suspect with dogs and a helicopter.
The deputy was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The Sheriff's Office did not immediately release a description of the car.
Contact Tony Marrero at tmarrero@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3374.