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(Rawlins, WY-AP) -- An independent investigation has exonerated a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper who fatally shot a man on Interstate 80.
The shooting happened near Elk Mountain on January 20th.
After reviewing a report by the Division of Criminal Investigation, Carbon County Attorney David Clark concluded that Trooper Robert Garner acted in self-defense.
Garner was responding to a report of a drunken driver when he pulled over 42-year-old Keven Wade Hanson, of Draper, Utah.
According to the report, Garner saw an empty pistol holster on the front passenger seat but did not get a straight answer whether Hanson was armed. After Garner told Hanson to get out, Hanson started moving toward the trooper and Garner sprayed him with pepper spray.
But Hanson continued to advance, pulling a pistol and pointing it at Garner. Garner opened fire, hitting Hanson six times.
Two more interviews related to the shooting are planned. But Clark says he doesn't expect to get information that would change his decision.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
