A 25-year-old female sheriff’s deputy was hospitalized in critical condition this morning with injuries suffered when she was struck by an SUV in Paramount as she chased an assault suspect.

The Lakewood Station deputy had responded to a call of a person acting erratically about 5:30 p.m. Monday in the parking lot of a strip mall near the area of Downey Avenue and Alondra Boulevard, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at an evening news conference.

“Prior to even exiting her vehicle, she was immediately assaulted by the suspect, who began punching her through the window of her radio car,” Villanueva said.

The suspect ran off and the deputy chased him through the parking lot and moments later was struck by a Chevrolet Suburban not related to the original call.

“The deputy is in critical condition,” Villanueva said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to her for a speedy recovery.”

The driver left the scene but was apprehended a short distance away in the area of Indiana Avenue and Jackson Street, the sheriff’s department said.

“The individual driving the Chevy Suburban was determined to be driving under the influence and arrested for felony DUI,” Villanueva said.

The suspect from the original call was taken into custody after a brief struggle and arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, Villanueva said.

Editor’s note: This story was updated with more information Tuesday morning.