A 44-year-old man is dead after a confrontation with a Virginia State Police trooper on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Bedford County on Thursday.
The man, whose name was not released by State Police, was driving a motorcycle on Route 460 when the trooper attempted to make a traffic stop for reckless driving at 4:12 p.m.
After the trooper activated his emergency equipment, the driver refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued.
The driver exited Route 460 onto the Blue Ridge Parkway and continued north for another six miles to the 97.7-mile marker.
The motorcyclist attempted to exit the Parkway, crashing into a closed gate on the Bedford side of Black Horse Gap.
At this point, the driver of the motorcycle reportedly produced a firearm, and the trooper discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect, who died at the scene.
A passenger on the motorcycle was injured in the crash and was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The trooper, who has also not been identified, was not injured and has been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of an investigation.
At the conclusion of the investigation, State Police will turn the findings over to the Bedford County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
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Chris Graham
