Police Shoot, Kill Driver of Propane Truck

Police have shot and killed a man in Southern California who was erratically driving a truck loaded with propane gas after an intermittent chase covering several miles.

Police Cmdr. Tom Chronister says the chase on Oxnard city streets began Wednesday afternoon after the driver's boss reported that his employee was driving under the influence and acting irrationally.

Other drivers also called police to report that the man was driving recklessly.

Pilot Gary Lineberry for CBS Station KCBS in Los Angeles reports that during the 10-minute pursuit, the propane truck driver rammed several vehicles, including police cars and a motorcycle.

Police initially suspended their pursuit of the truck because of its explosive cargo, but later spotted it again and managed to pull the vehicle over.

The driver was cornered in a McDonalds parking and allegedly rammed the police cars several more times. At that point, police opened fire, killing the driver.

Chronister did not now what prompted the officers to fire their weapons.

Watch local video from CBS Station KCBS in Los Angeles