A routine traffic stop in Indian Trail turned chaotic when a driver allegedly assaulted a deputy, sped off, crashed, and left his car in flames before trying to escape on foot with a bag, according to Union County authorities.
Deputies identified the driver as James Hunt III. They say he ran from the wreck carrying a bag and was arrested a short distance away. Investigators reported finding a bullet near the center console of the burned vehicle and later recovered a bag that contained what they described as a large amount of marijuana.
Traffic Stop Turns Into Wild Chase And Car Fire
According to a post from the Union County Sheriff's Office, deputies with the sheriff's S.A.F.E. unit saw a white Charger leaving a gas station at a very high rate of speed in the Indian Trail area and initiated a traffic stop.
Deputies reported that the driver showed signs of impairment and that they smelled a strong odor of marijuana. As they tried to detain him, the post states, he assaulted a deputy, told them there was an AR-style pistol inside the vehicle, then refused to stay put and sped away.
The vehicle later wrecked and caught fire. Deputies tried to knock down the flames with an issued fire extinguisher but could not put the blaze out, according to the sheriff's office. The Monroe Police Department ultimately located the burned vehicle.
Foot Chase, Arrest, And Drug Seizure
Deputies say Hunt fled the crash scene on foot while carrying a bag and was apprehended a short distance away "without further incident," the sheriff's office wrote. Investigators reported spotting a bullet near the center console of the vehicle and said the recovered bag held "a large amount of marijuana."
According to the sheriff's office, "a judicial official issued no bond for James Hunt III." Officials say he was taken to the Union County Detention Center and booked on multiple counts, including driving while impaired, felony flee to elude, assault on a government official, resist, delay and obstruct, felony carrying a concealed gun, and felony possession of marijuana.
Local Context
High-speed getaways and drug-related arrests are not new to the area. Hoodline previously reported on a high-speed chase in Indian Trail in May 2025 that ended with an arrest after a brief pursuit, highlighting ongoing enforcement efforts targeting drivers who flee from deputies.
The sheriff's Facebook post provided the initial account of this latest incident. Investigators with Union County deputies and the Monroe Police Department are handling the active case. Additional details, including court proceedings, are expected as formal filings and booking documents are processed.
