By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
A motorist who jumped from his car and went for a jog after crashing at a busy Salisbury intersection Tuesday afternoon didn’t get far.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Long and Innes streets, and the driver made it only a couple of blocks before Salisbury police caught up to him.
To make matters worse, when police ordered him to stop, the man toppled from a retaining wall that lines railroad tracks, falling 12 feet onto rocks and gravel.
Not only does he face numerous charges related to the crash and run, but, owing to the fall, he also wound up with a trip to Rowan Regional Medical Center’s emergency room.
“It appears to be alcohol-related,” Master Police Officer R.L. Correll said of the not-so-suspenseful pursuit.
Correll said the man who officers apprehended carried two identification cards ó one for Willie McCrory and the other for Willie McCoy.
Correll said the Pontiac Bonneville the man was driving was registered to McCoy. His address is 115 E. Monroe St., Apt. 3.
Correll said it appeared McCoy was trying to make it home on foot after crashing his car about 5 p.m. Correll said several witnesses pointed police in McCoy’s direction of travel.
Those witnesses also said McCoy reeked of alcohol.
Correll said he didn’t know McCoy’s age, though transmissions heard over the police scanner said witnesses estimated him as being in his late 40s or early 50s.
Correll said an investigation continues, but said it appears McCoy was traveling south on Long Street when he lost control and plowed into a power pole in front of AutoZone at Long’s intersection with Innes.
Correll said workers with Duke Energy said the car struck the pole with enough force to move it about a half-foot, no small accomplishment considering the pole is buried 6 to 7 feet in the ground.
Correll said the crash didn’t cause any power outages.
He said McCoy’s Pontiac ó of unknown vintage ó was totaled in the accident.
A police dog was brought to the site and quickly tracked McCoy to a section of woods that line the railroad tracks between Bank and Horah streets.
Correll said that when officers found McCoy’s hiding spot, he attempted to flee, which is when he was ordered to stop. Correll said it’s unclear if McCoy either jumped or fell from the retaining wall.
He said McCoy’s injuries appeared minor. Correll said that while McCoy didn’t try to move once he fell, he initially declined ambulance transport to Rowan Regional. He then changed his mind and agreed to go to the hospital.
Correll said McCoy likely faces charges of DWI, leaving the scene of an accident and resisting, obstructing and delaying officers.
“It’s never a dull moment out here,” Correll said.