By Mark Wineka

Salisbury Post

A brief police chase through Salisbury Thursday night ended with the fleeing car hitting a utility pole at East Horah and South Clay streets.

The car driven by 18-year-old Larry Lamar Cruse of 32 Knox St. sped down Monroe Street and across South Long Street before going out of control at the intersection.

According to reports at the Rowan County Magistrate’s Office, Salisbury Police Officer J.I. Lanier had attempted to stop the car for careless and reckless driving before the chase started.

Police charged Cruse with fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle and possession with the intent to sell and distribute cocaine.

Reports said Cruse had eight grams of cocaine in his possession.

Authorities called an ambulance to the scene, but Cruse refused transport to the hospital. He was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center Thursday night under $5,000 bond.

The accident occurred about 8 p.m. Police dispatches clocked Cruse’s speed upwards of 70 mph, although that wasn’t confirmed by the arrest report at the magistrate’s office.

The wreck caused property damage at the intersection in excess of $1,000, the report stated.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263, or mwineka@salisburypost.com.