Trooper Cleared in Fatal Shooting Sued by Family

A New Hampshire state trooper who authorities said was justified in fatally shooting a woman as she drove at him in 2013 has been sued by her family.

Police said the shooting of Wendy Lawrence happened at a Manchester intersection after two high-speed pursuits in which she nearly struck a pedestrian and several vehicles.

Attorney General Joseph Foster's report said Lawrence drove aggressively at Trooper Chad Lavoie, who was out of his cruiser; Lavoie thought his life was in danger.

The Concord Monitor reports the federal lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that Lawrence never struck the cruiser and that Lavoie, in fact, hit her. It said she posed no immediate threat.

Assistant Attorney General Karen Schlitzer said she had yet to receive the complaint and had no immediate comment.