SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A man was arrested Tuesday following a high-speed pursuit that stemmed from a stabbing investigation at a La Mesa convenience store that left a female delivery driver with serious injuries.
San Diego Sheriff's (SDSO) officials said the incident happened just after 3 a.m. at the 7-Eleven store on Avocado Boulevard near Puebla Drive.
The 35-year-old woman, who is a delivery driver for Frito Lays, was later identified by her sister as Dina Hammond. Hammond had just finished dropping off products when she was attacked. Police say Hammond staggered into the store, told the clerk she was stabbed and then collapsed.
Sister of Dina Hammond, Frito Lay delivery woman randomly stabbed at La Mesa 7-11, says Dina is in ICU, but will survive. #10NewsAt11 pic.twitter.com/INj2zkbrcQ
— Emily Thode (@EmilyThode) November 8, 2017
Authorities said they are unsure if the stabbing happened as part of a robbery attempt.
Paramedics arrived at the scene to perform CPR on Hammond and then rushed her to the hospital. According to her sister, she is currently in the intensive care unit, but is expected to survive.
A short time later, sheriff's deputies spotted a Mercedes-Benz matching the description of a car that was last seen driving away from the La Mesa stabbing scene. When deputies tried to stop the Mercedes, the driver sped away - narrowly missing a deputy during the chase.
The Mercedes led deputies on a pursuit through the Jamul area that reached speeds of over 100 mph before it was found abandoned in the Dulzura area. Law enforcement officers searched the vehicle and found blood inside.
At about 8:20 a.m., the Mercedes' driver was arrested after he was found on a hillside a short distance from where the car was found by U.S. Border Patrol agents working with local law enforcement.
The suspect has not been named, but a Sheriff's official said he does have a criminal history and was arrested on charges relating to the pursuit, including felony evasion and assault on a deputy.
While SDSO said it was not ready to connect the pursuit suspect with the stabbing, they do not believe there is any further threat to the public.
Possible connection?
Shortly after the La Mesa incident, about four miles away at 350 North Second Street in El Cajon, authorities responded to a report of a woman found with stab wounds to her upper torso at a strip mall.
The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Authorities are trying to determine if the two stabbing incidents are related.
SDSO said it is unclear if the two victims knew each other or the suspect in some way. A motive behind the two stabbings and pursuit is still under investigation.
