A police pursuit through Richmond County ended in a violent crash that left the driver with life-threatening injuries, after deputies say the motorist blew through stop signs, passed cars head-on into oncoming traffic and drove recklessly in a bid to escape. The chase came to a stop on Richmond Road Extension at Terry Bridge, where the vehicle crashed.
According to WCNC, the chain of events started Thursday when Richmond County deputies responded to calls about a suspicious vehicle near McDonald Church Road. A 911 caller had reported that one person inside the vehicle was wearing a mask, a detail that set the tone for what deputies encountered next.
A responding deputy spotted a vehicle matching the dispatch description speeding away, and the driver sped off rather than stopping for the deputy's flashing lights. What followed, per the same account, was a chase marked by increasingly dangerous driving as the motorist tried to put distance between the car and law enforcement.
Reckless Driving Described By Investigators
Investigators said the driver ran stop signs and passed vehicles against oncoming traffic during the pursuit, according to the station's report. They also said the driver acted recklessly while trying to escape, a pattern that ultimately ended when the car crashed at Terry Bridge on Richmond Road Extension.
The driver suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash, the outlet reported. Richmond County officials have not identified the driver, and the article notes that North Carolina State Highway Patrol is now assisting with the investigation.
Gun, Cash and Mask Recovered From the Vehicle
Deputies recovered cash, a Glock 19 handgun and a mask from the vehicle after the crash, per the same report. No further detail has been released about those items or how they factor into the ongoing investigation.
Under North Carolina law, it is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle on a street, highway or public vehicular area while fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer who is lawfully performing official duties, according to North Carolina General Assembly statute G.S. 20-141.5.
Part of a Statewide Pattern
The Richmond County crash lands amid a broader rise in police pursuits across North Carolina. Police chases in the state have more than doubled in recent years, according to WRAL, which also reported that state trooper-led chases increased more than 130 percent between 2019 and 2022.
That same reporting found that 24 people were killed in pursuits across North Carolina in 2022, including 12 bystanders who were not involved in the chases themselves. Other recent incidents illustrate the danger: a chase in Bertie County reportedly reached speeds over 130 mph before two people were arrested, and a pursuit in Winston-Salem ended when a driver's vehicle struck a wall, leaving him injured.
No further details on the identity of the Richmond County driver or any charges have been released as the investigation continues.
