Biker leads police on high speed chase

Sunday, June 28, 2009 3:00 AM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend | By Steve Huffman

shuffman@salisburypost.com

LANDIS — A motorcyclist led Landis police on a chase of about 12 miles Saturday evening before finally abandoning his bike and fleeing on foot.

Melvin Eric Collier, 49, of 1707 Summit Ridge Lane, Kannapolis, faces numerous charges related to the chase that began at 5:26 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Bostian Road.

As the charges were read to Collier at the Rowan County Magistrate's Office Saturday evening, he added a charge that might apply.

"Very being stupid," Collier said.

According to warrants, Collier was charged with fleeing to elude arrest, speeding, wanton disregard, failure to wear a helmet, failure to stop at seven duly-erected stop signs and running a red light. He was also charged with speeding 120 mph in a 45 mph zone.

His bond was $1,000, and officials in the magistrate's office said it likely would have been higher had Collier not had a valid driver's license, which left them wondering why he ever started running from police in the first place.

Collier was pursued on his 1982 Suzuki by Officer M. Benfield of the Landis Police Department. He was finally apprehended after jumping from his motorcycle and fleeing on foot.

Collier's first appearance in Rowan County District Court is scheduled for Monday.