A late-night police chase in Clayton ended in a terrifying fireball early Thursday when a suspected stolen car slammed into a tree and burst into flames, leaving the driver with serious injuries, including burns. Officers rushed in, pulled the driver from the burning wreckage, and emergency crews took the injured person to WakeMed. The car itself was destroyed.
What Clayton police say
According to Clayton police, officers first spotted the vehicle inside town limits, rolling with dealer tags but no license plate. They believe the car had been stolen from a dealership in the Garner area. When officers tried to pull the driver over, the car took off and a pursuit began, continuing into Wake County, according to ABC11.
Emergency response
Clayton firefighters did not have far to roll. The town’s fire department runs two stations and handles vehicle fires and rescue calls across the community, which helps crews get to scenes quickly. The department lists Station 1 in downtown Clayton and Station 2 on NC Highway 42 East as its main response hubs, according to the Town of Clayton.
Crash ended on East Garner Road
The chase came to a violent stop on East Garner Road when the driver lost control, hit a tree, and the car went up in flames. Officers pulled the driver out of the wrecked vehicle. Police said the driver suffered serious injuries, including burns, and was taken to WakeMed for treatment. Charges are pending while officers work to secure warrants, according to ABC11.
Background
Motor-vehicle theft is a steady headache for Wake County law enforcement. A multi-year summary of FBI data shows roughly two thousand motor-vehicle-theft incidents in the county, a reminder of why officers keep an eye out for cars with questionable registration, according to Crime Explorer. Officials continue to urge residents not to go after fleeing suspects themselves and instead call 911 so trained responders can handle any pursuit and arrest.
