Coroner: Man shot by CHP trooper died from head wound
Authorities say a man shot by a California Highway Patrol officer in Jean after a more than two-hour chase that crossed state lines died of a gunshot wound to the head.
Clark County coroner’s officials released the cause of death for Phia W. Vang, 25, of Fresno, California, on Tuesday. The shooting happened about 6:30 p.m. Thursday on a Nevada state highway off Interstate 15 about 30 miles southwest of Las Vegas.
Police say Vang was driving a Toyota FJ Cruiser and led CHP officers on I-15 from California to Nevada before exiting in Jean.
Las Vegas police Capt. Matt McCarthy said Vang became boxed in before accelerating in reverse, striking the CHP vehicle.
That’s when McCarthy says the California trooper fired one shot.
The trooper’s name hasn’t been released.