Man shot dead by police after hit-and-run accident in Riverton

RIVERTON, Utah – Officials said a man was shot and killed by police in Riverton after officers stopped him for being involved in a hit-and-run crash and the altercation escalated.

The fatal incident occurred shortly before midnight on July 4, after the fireworks display and town festival in Riverton had ended.

Police initially responded to reports of a hit-and-run accident and eventually stopped a man at the entrance to Riverbend Golf Course.

Josh Lee of the City of Riverton Police Department said police were able to quickly identify a side-by-side that had struck a vehicle in the area and stopped the driver.

After officers stopped the male driver, they suspected alcohol was involved, Lee said.

“They were conducting a breathalyzer test when he stopped following the rules and shortly after, shots were fired,” he said.

The man died from injuries sustained by the shooting, Lee reported.

FOX 13 News

Now the police-involved critical incident protocol has been activated and a team from Salt Lake City has launched an investigation to find out more details about the fatal incident.

In total, three Riverton officers were placed on paid administrative leave for the duration of the investigation. Only one officer shot the man, while two others were witnesses, Lee said.

Further information, such as the identity of the suspect, whether he had a weapon or what exactly led to the fatal exchange of blows, was not released.

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