Police chase ends in crash

China Grove Officer J.S. Washam lost control of the 2008 Crown Victoria he was driving during a chase Sunday night and struck a tree and a Honda Accord on Sapp Road in Rockwell.

By Jessie Burchette

Salisbury Post

CHINA GROVE — A police chase involving two sport bikes reached speeds of more than 100 mph, ending when the police car went out of control and struck a tree and a parked car in Cabarrus County.

The officer was not injured, and both bikers fled.

Around 3 a.m. Sunday, China Grove Officer J.S. Washam clocked two bikers on N.C. 152 west traveling in excess of 100 mph.

When Washam attempted to stop them, they changed direction and headed east toward town on Stirewalt Road and Patterson Street.

The bikers turned on to Kimball Road, with one stopping at the intersection of Kimball Road and South Main Street.

Police Chief Hodge Coffield said Washam stopped and as he approached, the biker took off.

Washam began pursuit of the biker going north on South Main Street, on to Eudy Road, Chapel Street, Bostian Road, Daugherty Road, Lentz Road and then onto Old Concord Road, Old Beatty Ford Road, Phaniels Church Road, going into Cabarrus County and onto Sapp Road.

Coffield said at one point, the biker was going in excess of 120 mph.

In the 6200 block of Sapp Road, Washam lost control of the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, with the rear sliding around and striking a tree. The car continued on and struck a 1997 Honda Accord owned by Kenneth McCoy Powers, which was parked at his residence at 6201 Sapp Road, Rockwell.

Coffield said the N.C. Highway Patrol estimated Washam's speed at 65 to 70 mph at the time of the accident. Washam said he never exceeded 70 mph during the chase.

Trooper D.J. Eggers of the N.C. Highway Patrol investigated the accident.

According to 911 records the chase lasted eight minutes.

No other police units were involved in the chase, but Landis and Rockwell officers responded to the accident scene.

Coffield said Washam remains sore from the accident but has returned to duty and worked a partial shift.

Police have no description of the bikers.