No charges to be filed in Pa. officer fatal shooting after chase

COPLAY, Pa. (AP) — An eastern Pennsylvania prosecutor says no charges will be filed against an officer in the shooting death of a man in a struggle after a 17-mile chase last month.

Carbon County District Attorney Jean Engler said the Dec. 18 shooting of 27-year-old Danny Washington of Fort Lauderdale was accidental.

Pennsylvania State Police said Beaver Meadows officers tried to stop a white van on Route 93 and the pursuit continued onto Route 209, reaching speeds of 80 mph before spike strips stopped the vehicle in Franklin Township. Police said a struggle ensued between an officer and Washington, and the officer’s service weapon discharged.

Engler called the shooting death “unfortunate” but said “Washington’s own conduct in failing to comply and physically struggling with the officers contributed to his being shot and killed.”