Police Chase Ends in Fatal Crash in Cabarrus County, North Carolina

CABARRUS COUNTY, NC-  The independanttribune.com writes that a driver died in a tragic collision in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. The incident was the result of a police chase. The pursuit reportedly began in Rowan County but proceeded into Cabarrus County, where is ended when the driver was involved in a wreck. The fatal crash took place on Old Concord Salisbury Road.*

The victim, a 31-year-old woman from China Grove, died in the early afternoon collision. The victim was in a Toyota that collided off an embankment as the police pursued her car. The incident took place after the victim was involved in an altercation with her boyfriend. The boyfriend killed himself around the same time as the crash. 

Police were called to the scene where a woman had reportedly consumed anti-freeze in a suicide attempt. The woman fled from emergency responders, and a North Carolina Highway Patrol vehicle saw the woman’s car a short while later. The officer tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver left the scene. Police then pursued her, leading to the deadly crash. 

Police chases are extremely controversial because they place everyone at risk, including the suspect, the officers, and the public. Pursuits frequently lead to collisions, and in many cases, the suspects had only committed minor offenses. Many departments have strict guidelines when it comes to when an officer can and cannot pursue a person. Of course, police are forced to make the decision in the moment without much time to react. Considerations include the traffic conditions and the risks to the public. Sadly, the chase itself is often a greater risk than the individual who is the subject of the pursuit. 

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Sources:https://www.independenttribune.com/news/woman-killed-in-crash-following-pursuit-that-ended-in-cabarrus/article_321e45cc-4cfb-11ea-b4e3-0716e504f7d6.html and https://www.wsav.com/crime-safety/when-are-police-chases-appropriate-we-asked-georgia-state-patrol/