SOUTH FORK — A Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Office deputy and a suspected car thief exchanged gunfire Monday morning, Nov. 7, in a South Fork subdivision, the RGCSO reported.

At 10:27 a.m. a RGSCO deputy attempted to contact a vehicle which was reported earlier in the day as stolen from a residence in Rio Grande County, the RGCSO reported. The driver attempted to elude the deputy in the upper Alpine subdivision east of South Fork.

Upon stopping, the driver got out of the vehicle and shot at the deputy, the RGCSO reported. He then ran toward a house and another vehicle where shots were exchanged between the deputy and the driver.

After being shot at least one time, the driver was taken into custody and received medical care, the RGCSO reported. He was transported to a front range hospital for further treatment. The deputy sustained a minor injury and is on administrative leave as per protocol during the investigation into the shooting, the RGCSO reported.

The criminal investigation is ongoing and detailed information is not available for release. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation. No additional suspects are being sought by law enforcement at this time, the RGCSO reported. Charges are pending.

The Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Office thanked area residents, South Fork Police Department, Del Norte Police Department, Center Police Department, Monte Vista Police Department, Saguache Sheriff’s Office, Alamosa Police Department, Alamosa Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Rio Grande County Emergency Manager’s Office, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for their assistance.