Police: Man shot, killed by officers after chase in Washington County
WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) - Police in Washington County shot and killed a man after a chase on Sunday evening, Pennsylvania State Police said.
While investigating a report of a reckless driver around 5:15 p.m., state police said Smith Township police tried to pull over a Dodge Ram truck, but the driver didn't stop, starting a miles-long chase that continued onto Jefferson Avenue into the city of Washington.
Thirty-eight-year-old Eduardo Lee Hoover Jr. of Coraopolis slowed down on Jefferson Avenue, which state police said allowed responding units to get in front and behind of Hoover's truck.
Police said Hoover stopped his truck, put it in reverse, rammed the front of a cruiser, then pulled forward and hit a utility pole. When he put the truck in reverse again and accelerated toward responding officers, state police said officers from Smith Township and Mt. Pleasant fired their weapons, hitting Hoover.
Officers took Hoover from his car and tried to render aid but he died at the scene, state police said.
The Washington County district attorney confirmed no officers were injured.
"He's no stranger to the criminal justice system," Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh said.
A man who lives in the area shared a video with KDKA-TV of the scene from Sunday evening. He said he was walking to Cigarette City when he saw police cars flying toward the store.
For neighbors who lived nearby, they were stunned to see this all unfold right in their front yards. Richard Hunt lives about 50 yards from where everything happened.
"There was a massive gathering of cops down the street," Hunt said, describing the scene.
At this point, there is no word on if the officers involved are on leave or not.
The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the shooting along with the Washington County district attorney. State police called the shooting "active and ongoing."
The next step will be for the state police to hand over their findings to the district attorney. His office will review and then determine if the shooting was justified or not.
