A driver who sped away from Denver police late last night was fatally shot by an officer who feared the man was going to run him over, police said.
The incident began at about 10:25 p.m. when a Denver police officer tried to pull over a speeding vehicle, police said.
The driver sped away but “lost control” of his vehicle near East Fifth Avenue and Lafayette Street, police said in a release.
An officer approached the car on foot and the driver raced his engine, according to police.
“The officer, fearing the suspect would run into him with the vehicle, fired several rounds into the vehicle striking the suspect,” police said.
The man, whom police did not identify, was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where he died.
Police did not identify the officer who fired the shots. The incident is under investigation.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
