HEMLOCK TOWNSHIP -- State police say than an officer who shot a truck driver Monday night in Columbia County had no choice.
And in a news release Tuesday afternoon, Columbia County District Attorney Thomas Leipold said the shooting by Hemlock Township Officer Charles Dietterick was justified.
The incident happened around 9 p.m. Monday on the eastbound Interstate 80 off-ramp at the Buckhorn exit. That's near Bloomsburg.
According to troopers, Officer Dietterick pulled the truck over for not having a front bumper and other violations. The officer told the driver that the rig was being pulled off the road.
Troopers say the truck driver, Dan Hadean, of Oklahoma City, became belligerent. Dietterick fired a stun gun at Hadean, but it was ineffective.
State police say that Hadean pulled out pepper spray and sprayed the officer. He is also accused of hitting Dieterrick on the hand with a large hammer, causing the officer to lose his grip on the stun gun.
Dietterick then shot Hadean two times, hitting him in shoulder and the abdomen.
Troopers say Hadean will recover, and he could be charged as soon as Tuesday afternoon.
State police say they want Hadean to be charged with attempted homicide, but the district attorney will have the final decision.
Troopers describe Hadean as as independent truck driver. They believe he was hauling fruit when he got pulled over in Columbia County.