A Sunday high-speed chase that tore from Cleveland into Salisbury ended in a violent collision at Statesville Boulevard and West Innes Street, according to Rowan County deputies. The driver of a 2012 Mazda 6 allegedly pushed speeds close to 100 mph, crossed the center line and at times cut the headlights while officers tried to pull the car over. The pursuit came to a halt when the Mazda ran a red light, a deputy’s cruiser slammed into a bystander’s 2019 Nissan Altima, and the suspect ditched the car near the Salisbury Country Club. The driver is still on the run.
Police Account And Crash Scene
Deputies first tried to stop the Mazda in Cleveland, but the driver hit the gas instead of the brakes, according to WCNC Charlotte. Investigators told the outlet that officers attempted a PIT maneuver to end the chase, but the situation escalated when the driver allegedly tried to hit several oncoming vehicles and rammed an officer’s car before taking off again.
The pursuit ended only after the deputy’s cruiser collided with the Nissan at the Salisbury intersection. Authorities said the deputy and the Nissan’s occupants were taken to a hospital with minor injuries and are expected to recover, according to WCNC Charlotte. No arrests had been made as of the latest update, and investigators say the case remains very much active.
How State Law Might Apply
Under North Carolina law, “speeding to elude” turns into a Class H felony when prosecutors prove at least two aggravating factors in court, such as going more than 15 mph over the limit, reckless driving or driving with a revoked license. The pursuit’s reported details, including near 100 mph speeds, alleged attempts to strike oncoming vehicles and a crash involving a patrol car, are the kind of facts prosecutors typically highlight when pursuing felony fleeing to elude charges.
The full list of aggravating factors and potential penalties, including license revocation and possible vehicle forfeiture, is laid out in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-141.5.
How To Report Tips
Anyone with information about the driver or the Mazda is urged to contact the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office or the Cleveland Police Department, according to WCNC Charlotte. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers by calling 1-866-639-5245, or through the Salisbury Police Department’s online tip portal, per the Salisbury Police Department.
Officials stress that residents should not approach the suspect. Anyone who spots the vehicle or a possible suspect is asked to call 911 immediately.
