North Carolina Trooper Fatally Shoots Man Believed to Be Deaf After Seven-Mile Chase

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (TheBlaze/AP) -- Authorities say a North Carolina trooper has shot and killed a driver following a chase in Charlotte.

State Highway Patrol officials said in a news release that the incident began about 6:15 p.m. Thursday when a trooper tried to pull over a vehicle for a speeding violation on Interstate 485. The release says the driver led authorities on a pursuit that lasted about seven or eight miles, WSOC-TV reported.

A closer look. Appears car damaged. Law enforcement vehicles surrounding it. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/tpoUHM4HxT

— Alexa Ashwell (@AlexaWSOC9) August 19, 2016

Officials say that's when the driver got out of his car and an encounter took place between the driver and the trooper, causing a shot to be fired. The driver died at the scene. The driver's identity hasn't been released, but WSOC-TV reported the driver is deaf.

Officials say the trooper was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure after an officer-involved shooting.

Other details haven't been released, including the race of the driver and the trooper. The State Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation. A spokesman says the agency is trying to reach the driver's family before releasing information.

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