Stolen SUV slams into Connecticut home after driver shot

Hartford (AP) — A stolen SUV slammed through the wall of a Hartford home Wednesday after a police officer fatally shot the driver.

Lt. J. Paul Vance, a state police spokesman, said Hartford police approached three men and the stolen SUV in a driveway on Wadsworth Street at about 1 a.m. when the men attempted to flee in the vehicle.

"The Hartford police officer drew his service weapon and fired at the vehicle as the vehicle attempted to run the officers down," Vance said. "The vehicle went off of the driveway in this apartment complex and rammed into a house."

The SUV, which police said was reported stolen on Monday, veered off the driveway and into a nearby apartment house. It ended up inside the first floor of the building.

The two people in the front seat of the SUV were struck by bullets, police said. The driver died at the scene, and the front seat passenger suffered serious injuries and was in surgery at Hartford Hospital early Wednesday, Vance said.

A third passenger, who was in the backseat, was taken into custody.

Two people inside the building were sleeping on the second floor and weren't injured, Vance said. A huge hole was left in the side of the apartment building, and building inspectors were on the scene Wednesday to examine the integrity of the structure.

Several officers also were treated for minor injuries, Vance said.

The names of those involved weren't immediately released.