Police chase ends unsuccessfully after vehicle’s lights shut off

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 15, 2024

SALISBURY — Another police chase was called off after deputies lost sight of the fleeing car due to the vehicle cutting off its lights on Tuesday.

The incident began at approximately 2 a.m. when a deputy noticed a white Dodge Charger driving at a high rate of speed on the southbound side of Interstate 85, said a spokesperson for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy reportedly got behind the Charger and clocked it at 103 mph. 

The deputy also ran the plate on the vehicle and it came back to a Toyota Corolla, according to the spokesperson. The deputy then reportedly attempted to stop the Charger, at which point the vehicle turned off all its exterior lights and sped up. The Charger allegedly took the Long Ferry Road exit, almost hitting the patrol cars of a deputy and an East Spencer police officer that were set up there. The vehicle then turned back onto the interstate.

As the chase continued into Davidson County, the deputy reportedly notified communications and asked them to make the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and Thomasville Police Department aware of the pursuit. Troopers with the NCSHP assisted in the chase. Around this time, the driver of the Charger allegedly lost control of the vehicle and almost hit two tractor-trailers before regaining control and continuing to flee. 

Around exit 103 in Thomasville, the deputy reportedly lost sight of the Charger and had to call off the chase. Because the vehicle had the wrong license plate on it, deputies were unable to investigate further.