A Saturday night traffic stop on the Sterling Highway ended in death for a Sterling motorist after being fired on by the arresting trooper, the trooper dispatch revealed this weekend.

Troopers report that an Alaska State Trooper pulled over 49-year-old Sterling resident Jon Ployhar on a routine traffic stop at mile 82 of the Sterling Highway at 11:20 pm on Saturday night. It was revealed by troopers, that after a short pursuit, the trooper made contact with Ployhar at which time an altercation broke out between the officer and suspect.

During the altercation, the arresting officer pulled his weapon and fired on Ployhar. Ployhar succumbed to his injuries, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The trooper involved in the shooting was transported to the Central Peninsula Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The trooper dispatch stated that, “Per Department of Public Safety policy the name of the Alaska State Trooper will be released in 72 hours.”

Ployhar’s next of kin were notified of the incident.

The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

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