The San Jose man who allegedly rammed his car into three sheriff’s patrol cars and prompted a deputy to fire three rounds is scheduled to enter a plea next month, authorities said.
Michael Matagulay, 42, was charged with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon in relation to the early-morning incident in a remote area of west Morgan Hill on March 22 that resulted in an intensive multi-agency manhunt, according to Santa Clara County Supervising Deputy District Attorney Steve Lowney. Matagulay waived his right to a speedy trial at a March 26 hearing, and the judge set bail at $300,000. Matagulay did not enter a plea and remained in custody as of press time with his next hearing scheduled for April 29 at South County Courthouse, Lowney said.
About 5:30 a.m. on March 22 Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of 6600 Croy Road for a caller reporting a suspicious vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence on Esther Lake Drive. Matagulay repeatedly rammed three sheriff’s patrol cars as deputies were exiting their vehicles. One deputy fired at least three shots toward the vehicle, authorities said. Earlier reports stated that the deputy fired a minimum of one shot, but Sheriff’s Sgt. Kurtis Stenderup said Wednesday upon further investigation detectives determined that more shots were fired, though none hit the suspect.
Matagulay then drove across Esther Lake Drive and was struck by another vehicle, causing him to lose control and crash into a small ravine, police said. The suspect then fled into the woods on foot.
Residents were advised to stay indoors and keep their doors locked during the search. Matagulay was found several hours later hiding in the woods about a half-mile from the scene, police said. Uninjured, Matagulay was booked at Santa Clara County Jail, where he remained in custody as of press time.
One deputy was treated at an area hospital for head pain and medically cleared, authorities said. The deputy who discharged her firearm, Deputy Meagan Haney, was placed on paid administrative leave following the incident but was likely to return to work soon, Stenderup added. Administrative leave is standard procedure after all officer involved shootings, Stenderup said.
Circumstances surrounding the shooting, including where the rounds connected, are still under investigation, Stenderup said.
Authorities including the Sheriff’s office, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Sunnyvale, San Jose police and California Highway Patrol officers responded to the remote and heavily wooded terrain to assist in the search for the suspect, according to authorities.
Anyone who witnessed this incident may call Sheriff’s Office homicide investigators at (408) 808-4431.
