New Jersey police chase ends in officer-involved shooting; Suspect dead

RUTHERFORD (WABC) -- A man was fatally shot by police in New Jersey early Tuesday after an attempted traffic stop turned into a chase.

Officers attempted to pull over what they believed to be a vehicle that was stolen following an attempted burglary in North Arlington, but the driver sped off, sparking the high-speed chase.

That pursuit, by Lyndhurst, Rutherford and state police, ended at the intersection of Ridge Road and Route 3 in Rutherford. That's where the driver of the black Dodge Durango encountered police and again refused to stop.

Somehow, shots were fired on the two occupants of the SUV, and the driver was wounded. He was rushed to Hackensack Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Neighbors reported hearing a hail of as many as 10 gunshots.

The passenger in the SUV was taken into custody.

Further details were not known, but the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office says the investigation will be led by the state Division of Criminal Justice.