CLEARFIELD – A State Police Trooper in Clearfield County is facing a civil lawsuit claiming that he used deadly force which caused 38-year-old Matthew Chelgren to die.
According to the suit filed against Trooper Craig Hooven, it was “unreasonable and excessive” to use a “PIT manuever” in order to stop Chelgren. Police say Chelgren led then on a high speed chase near Curwensville last April. Trooper Hooven used the PIT maneuver on Chelgren’s car to stop him, but the vehicle went off the road and smashed into a tree. Chelgren was pronounced dead at the scene. Chelgren’s family and their attorney are claiming in the lawsuit that where Trooper Hooven used the maneuver, it was “almost certain” the vehicle would hit a tree.
The lawsuit is part of a civil case, and no criminal charges have been filed against Trooper Hooven.
