A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT in Garden Grove early Wednesday morning was followed by an officer-involved shooting (Shutterstock).

A man suspected of stealing a used car from a Santa Ana lot died early Wednesday morning after being shot by a Garden Grove police officer.

The man, described only as an adult Hispanic male, crashed the car at Harbor Boulevard and Trask Avenue at around 1:25 am. When a passing GGDP officer stopped to render aid, an altercation broke out between the suspect and the officer, and the suspect was shot. He later died at a local hospital, according to Lt. Carl Whitney of the Garden Grove Police Department.

The deceased man has not been identified. The officer was also hospitalized, treated and released for “non-life threatening “ injuries.

GGPD detectives, along with investigators from the Orange County District Attorney’s office responded to handle the inquiry.