State investigators say a southern New Jersey man was fatally shot by a state trooper this weekend after he allegedly struck the trooper with a sport utility vehicle.

State Police Lt. Stephen Jones tells the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill that 29-year-old Eddie Velazquez of Pennsauken was shot by the trooper late Friday night. The trooper, whose name was not released, was treated at a hospital for minor injuries.

Jones says authorities were investigating suspected drug activity when the trooper approached the SUV driven by Velazquez, who put the vehicle in reverse and struck the trooper, who was also briefly dragged. The two then scuffled before Velazquez was shot.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jones says a loaded handgun was found in Velazquez's sweatshirt pocket.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM