A body is covered by a sheet next to a vehicle at the scene where authorities say a New Jersey state police officer fatally shot a man during an investigation at the Molly Pitcher service area, Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Cranbury, N.J. No police officers were hurt in the shooting on the service area, which serves the New Jersey Turnpike. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
March 31, 2017 - 10:17 AM
CRANBURY, N.J. - Authorities say a state trooper shot and killed a Delaware man who drove toward him while trying to flee from a service area on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Officials say five troopers were conducting undercover narcotics operations at the Molly Pitcher Service Area on Thursday when a trooper saw 46-year-old Christopher Pizzichetta, of Lewes, apparently "shooting up" heroin.
The attorney general's office says Pizzichetta attempted to flee in his pickup truck as the troopers tried to block him in, striking two of their vehicles and speeding directly toward a trooper on foot.
The trooper opened fire, hitting Pizzichetta. His pickup crashed into a retaining wall and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials found a syringe and glassine packets suspected of containing heroin in the pickup.
The investigation continues.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017