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Nov 4, 2005 9:47 pm US/Eastern
Driver Shot By State Trooper In Fitchburg Dies
FITCHBURG (CBS4) ―
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Doctors at UMass Medical Center in Worcester took Preston Johnson off life support Friday. He had been shot early yesterday morning by a state trooper.
CBS4
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Investigators say Preston Johnson, 30, of Fitchburg refused to stop for police Thursday morning and allegedly led them on a chase that led to shots being fired.
CBS4
A driver who was shot by a Massachusetts state trooper in Fitchburg early Thursday morning died today after being pulled off life support.
Investigators say Preston Johnson, 30, of Fitchburg refused to stop for police Thursday morning and allegedly led them on a chase that led to shots being fired.
According to state police, the trooper tried to pull Johnson over for a routine traffic stop around 2 a.m., but for some reason he refused.
Authorities said Johnson hit at least two parked cars with his SUV before crashing into a stone wall on Spruce Street.
Member of Johnson's family said they don't feel the shooting was justified. An investigation is under way.
According to the Worcester County District Attorney's office, Johnson is on life support at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, pending arrival from family members from out-of-state.
Two stepsisters of Johnson's said he has a 9-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son. They said he was driving alone in his Ford Expedition when he was shot.
State police said a 12-year veteran trooper assigned to the Leominster barracks tried to stop Johnson for motor vehicles violations at about 2 a.m.
Johnson's lengthy driving record included speeding, driving to endanger and refusing to obey police in June, which cost him his driver's license.
"The only reason why he most likely ran is because he doesn't have a driver's license and he wanted to get his truck home, acuse he didn't want them to tow it," said Johnson's stepsister, Larissa Brennan. "But other than that, he had no weapons. He's been doing very well since the last time he's been out of jail."
"Other than that, it's like, the police had no reason on shooting at him," said his other stepsister Randilee Pearl. "He was driving down the street going home just to park his truck. Other than that, he would've pulled over and let the police arrest him. But the police want to take -- they take his vehicle every time."
The trooper involved in the shooting was treated for a minor hand injury.
Relatives said Johnson had finished barber school and wanted to open up his own shop. he recently worked at the Who's Next barber shop in Fitchburg for about a month.
State police did not say exactly how many shots were fired or even how the shooting occurred.
The trooper involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave as the investigation continues.
A lawyer for state police says the trooper acted in self defense after Johnson tried to run down two officers.
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