An Asheville, N.C. police officer died after his cruiser ran off of a bridge Tuesday afternoon.
Officer Robert Bingaman was driving on Interstate 20 when the incident occurred around 1 p.m., sending the vehicle off of the Jeff Bowen Bridge onto Riverside Drive, according to The Asheville Citizen-Times.
Bingaman was transported to Mission Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Officials could not say whether the officer was in pursuit or responding to an incident.
"We want to honor the life and service he gave to this community," Police Chief William Anderson said during a press conference shortly after the officer's death. "He paid the ultimate sacrifice."
The 37-year-old was a six-year veteran of the police department and is the first Asheville officer killed in the line of duty in 41 years.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol is currently investigating the wreck.
Officer.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
