GOLD CANYON, AZ (AZFamily) — Authorities have released more details about a death investigation that caused an hours-long closure on a busy Pinal County highway Tuesday afternoon.

Mesa police said Justin Meritt, 42, was wanted for several felony crimes, including crimes against children. Around 2:30 p.m., Mesa officers located Meritt driving on the U.S. 60 near Silly Mountain Road, between Apache Junction and Gold Canyon.

Authorities attempted to pull Meritt over, but investigators say he refused to get out of his vehicle. Police commanded him to step out, but Meritt didn’t respond. A SWAT team arrived on scene in an armored vehicle, attempting to take Meritt into custody.

Law enforcement then surrounded the car and found Meritt, who had a handgun, dead in the driver’s seat. Investigat

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