SPRING LAKE, N.C. (WNCN) – A high-speed chase across multiple counties culminated in a devastating crash late Saturday night, leaving one person dead and two others injured, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The incident unfolded around 11:37 p.m. when a trooper clocked a 2012 Acura travelling at an alarming speed of 110 miles per hour on N.C. Highway 87 in Harnett County. Despite the trooper’s attempt to initiate a traffic stop, the driver, identified as 25-year-old Darren Lyndell Obatala Powell of Spring Lake, refused to pull over and continued the reckless pursuit.
1 Dead, 2 Injured in high-speed chase
As the chase progressed into Spring Lake, the Acura collided with a 2012 Honda Accord that was turning left onto McKenzie Road. The force of the impact was catastrophic, resulting in the immediate death of the front passenger in the Honda.
The identity of the deceased has not been released pending family notification. The driver of the Honda was transported to Cape Fear Valley Hospital with serious injuries and remains unidentified at this time.
Powell, the driver of the Acura, was also injured in the crash and was taken to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, where he is currently listed in critical condition. Authorities suspect that alcohol may have played a role in the crash, and charges against Powell are forthcoming.
This tragic event marks a significant concern regarding the increasing frequency of high-speed chases in North Carolina. Police chases have more than doubled in recent years, raising alarms about public safety. In 2022 alone, 24 individuals lost their lives in pursuits across the state, with half of those fatalities involving innocent bystanders.
The intersection where this high-speed chase ended has seen similar incidents in the past, including a multi-vehicle crash just three months prior. As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with the consequences of reckless driving and the dangers posed by high-speed pursuits.
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