Records: Trooper was running after suspect when woman ran over him, told suspect 'get in!'

Court documents reveal more information about an incident last month in which officials say a woman hit a trooper with an SUV before he shot her.

According to arrest documents, 18-year-old Salina Avila was following Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. Christopher Rios around 2:45 a.m. on March 6 as he pursued the driver of a silver Nissan Altima that had sped past him on Interstate 17.

The Altima exited I-17 at Cactus Road and rushed eastbound but spun out after crashing into the center median. The driver abandoned the vehicle and continued running east when Rios parked his own vehicle and gave chase.

Rios was chasing the Altima's driver on a sidewalk when Avila rammed into him from behind in a white Chevrolet Tahoe before pulling up to the suspect and telling them, "Get in, get in!" documents say.

Fire crews on a nearby truck "observed Rios disappear under the Tahoe," documents say.

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Rios saw the suspect enter the Tahoe and fired nine shots at the vehicle as it sped eastbound on Cactus Road before calling dispatch regarding what transpired and going to a hospital for treatment. Phoenix police officers were already investigating reports that a white Chevrolet Tahoe had been stolen shortly before the incident and eventually found it near 21st and Larkspur drives.

Phoenix police stopped the Tahoe and Avila exited the vehicle and collapsed with multiple gunshot wounds before being taken to a hospital for treatment. The suspect Avila had picked up wasn't with her when officers arrived at the scene, according to court documents.

Investigators pulled prints from the Altima and Tahoe and found they belonged to a 25-year-old man who it is not yet clear if police have arrested.

They later reviewed surveillance footage from the Glendale home where the Tahoe was stolen near 43rd Avenue and Cactus Road, which showed the Altima drive by the home several times before a man exited and broke into a Jeep Wrangler parked on the driveway and stole a garage door remote.

The man and the Altima left for a short time and returned and opened the garage door shortly before the Tahoe was seen quickly backing out with both vehicles fleeing the residence.

The trooper was released from the hospital on March 8 to recuperate at home, the department previously said. Avila was hospitalized for several weeks until March 30, the department previously said.

Avila faces one count of aggravated assault involving a deadly weapon and one count of theft involving a means of transportation according to the Maricopa County Superior Court's website. Her next scheduled court date is May 13.

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Records: Woman hit trooper with SUV in Phoenix, told suspect 'Get in!'