It also sounds like the deputy was complying with the Golden Rule:
You don't kill the driver. You kill the car!
Administrative leave or "Riding A Desk" is SOP every time a cop discrarges his weapon. My guess is that this will be determined a "Good Shoot".
Jack.
Not sure I understand about "killing the car" versus the driver? Can you explain that to a befuddled software guy?
You don't? Why not? Saves a bundle of money in the long run.
Cuts down on global warming, too. Fewer perps = fewer emissions.
Worked while I was growing up; then the 60s came along, and everybody got touchy-feeling, namby-pamby, thanks to all the bitching over killing S.E. Asian commie murderers, and just look at us now....