Trooper who fired at Eugene motorist identified

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – An Oregon State Police trooper who fired his weapon at a vehicle in west Eugene June 18 has been identified as Mark Chaffin.

The Register-Guard reported Tuesday that the 1990 to 1997 dark-colored Mazda Miata or similar convertible and its driver have not been located.

Police say Chaffin attempted to pull over the speeding vehicle in the Bethel area with a missing rear bumper about 1 a.m. Police say the driver didn’t stop, and instead drove down the street, made a U-turn and drove at the trooper.

Police say Chaffin fired his gun at the car, but the driver sped away.

The case remains under investigation by the Interagency Deadly Force Investigation Team.

Chaffin was placed on administrative leave following the incident but was cleared to return to duty July 1.

___

Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com