Man sentenced to prison for shooting CHP officer on freeway

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A man who shot an officer while on the Interstate 8 freeway was sentenced to 22 years and eight months in state prison, prosecutors said.

Yuhao Du, who had previously pleaded not guilty by a reason of insanity, was found guilty of attempted murder, personal use of a firearm, personal infliction of great bodily injury and taking an officer's firearm, Shane Waller with the San Diego County District Attorney confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI.

On the evening of April 27, 2022, California Highway Patrol officer Tony Pacheco was investigating a traffic collision involving Du's vehicle on eastbound I-8, located just under Interstate 805 in the Mission Valley area, according to law enforcement.

During the preliminary hearing, Pacheco said Du, whose face was bleeding, said he wanted to kill himself. Pacheco was puzzled by the statement and that's when he said Du lunged towards him, put both of his hands on his service weapon and then the pair began violently fighting.

Shortly after, Pacheco said the pistol went off while still in his belt holster. He suffered a gunshot wound to his right thigh, tore a tendon in his left hand while punching Du and ended up hospitalized several times for blood clots in his lungs and leg.

Six people pulled over on the highway to help detain Du.

Du, through his attorney, offered an apology to Pacheco and his family during Tuesday's sentencing, according to Waller. Pacheco, however, was not present for the sentencing and did not provide a victim impact statement.