MANDAN, N.D. (PPR) – A 45-year-old Billings, Montana man is dead after being shot by a North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper west of Mandan on I-94.

At about 7:43 pm Tuesday, September 7th, state radio received a call about a reckless driver eastbound about 7 miles east of Hebron, North Dakota. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier.

Morton County deputies tried to get the vehicle to stop, using spike strips. Patrol Major Tom Iverson says the trooper was able to stop the vehicle. He says the trooper got out of his squad, and gave the driver several loud commands, to exit the vehicle with his hands up.

Iverson says at about 8:18 pm, the trooper fired one round from his duty weapon – and Craig Knutson was killed. Iverson says a gun was recovered from Knutson’s car. The trooper – who has not been identified – is on administrative leave – standard procedure in a case like this. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Morton County States Attorney’s office are investigating.

Submitted by Dave Thompson