Fleeing suspect shot and killed by Jefferson County sheriff's deputies near I-20 in Birmingham

Jefferson County sheriff's deputies shot one person after a pursuit Tuesday afternoon in east Birmingham.

At approximately 2:15 p.m., deputies attempted to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation near First Avenue North and 56th Street North.

The driver refused to stop and a pursuit began, sheriff's office spokesman Henry Irby said.

During the chase, Irby said, the suspect struck deputies' vehicles.

According to two eyewitnesses, the suspect was driving the wrong way on the Messer Airport ramp trying to get back onto the highway when he hit a tree.

Witnesses said he came out armed with a Draco pistol and was shot three times in the back. Authorities have not confirmed this version.

The suspect was taken by Birmingham Fire Department to UAB Hospital.

The severity of the suspect's injuries is unknown, but a deputy could be heard repeatedly yelling over police radios that medics were needed immediately.

Irby said he could not release any additional information at this time, including whether the suspect fired any shots or was alone in the vehicle.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency was called in to lead the investigation, which is standard in police-involved shootings.