Triangle, Virginia — A tragic incident unfolded when a driver of a carjacked vehicle from Maryland was shot dead by police in Virginia following a high-speed pursuit, authorities revealed.
The confrontation occurred when the driver failed to comply with numerous police instructions and exhibited what officers described as “abrupt furtive movements with his hands” prior to being shot on Wednesday night, according to a statement from Virginia State Police.
The identity of the deceased driver has not yet been released, and it remains unclear if any firearms were located at the scene after the altercation.
The police chase, which transpired along Interstate 95, reached a critical point when the stolen vehicle collided with a Virginia State Police cruiser south of Washington, leading to the police vehicle overturning, as reported by local news sources.
In the carjacked vehicle, a male passenger sustained injuries requiring urgent medical attention and was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for surgery. Another passenger, who did not suffer any injuries, was taken into police custody for questioning.
The response to the shooting caused significant traffic disruptions, prompting authorities to close the southbound lanes of I-95 for several hours, resulting in a backup stretching over 6 miles (approximately 10 kilometers), which greatly affected the Thursday morning commute for many drivers.
Meanwhile, the four troopers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure that follows such incidents to allow for a thorough investigation.