Alabama deputy, motorcyclist shot in exchange of gunfire

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OPELIKA, Ala. — An Alabama sheriff’s deputy and a motorcyclist exchanged gunfire Wednesday during a traffic stop in a rural community, injuring both people, a sheriff said.

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said a deputy pulled over a motorcycle driver for a traffic violation in the Beauregard community, but the rider tried to speed away and crashed a short distance away.

An initial investigation showed the motorcyclist pulled a gun and shot at the deputy, who was in his car after driving to the crash site, Jones said. The deputy returned fire, wounding the motorist.

The deputy, whom the sheriff described as a 33-year-old Army veteran, was wounded mainly in the hands and an arm and is expected to recover, he said. The deputy was taken to a hospital in Columbus, Georgia.

The motorcycle rider was taken to another hospital in Columbus with unknown injuries.

Authorities didn’t release the name of either person.