Scott A. Mackelvey, 41, of Tuscarora, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses said Mackelvey stole the cab of a tractor-trailer belonging to Koch's Farm Service and drove it into the Wildcat Mountain housing development in Walker Township, Schuylkill County, where police said he drove through several yards and crashed into a tree.
Police said Mackelvey then broke into a house, with the residents inside, and stole the keys to a pickup truck.
Arriving troopers tried to prevent Mackelvey from fleeing in the stolen pickup, which he rammed into the front of the cruiser, police said.
"Troopers and an off-duty municipal police officer were nearly struck as the suspect continued his actions," state police said in a statement. The troopers and the officer then shot at Mackelvey.
Mackelvey was familiar to police. He had been charged in recent years with weapons violations, drunken driving and aggravated assault.
Troopers who fired their weapons were placed on administrative leave pending further investigation, as is standard. The investigation is being led by the state police Troop L Major Case Team, the district attorney and the coroner.
"From everything we see here it seems to be justified," Coroner Joseph Lipsett said.
