Collision sends 3 to the hospital, including trooper

DURHAM

It happened just before midnight Saturday on an I-85 exit leading onto Duke Street in Durham.

According to the Highway Patrol, Trooper David Haithcock was driving the cruiser involved in the wreck.

A Highway Patrol Spokesperson said Haithcock was on his way to assist another officer who was pursuing a suspected drunk driver. He said 33-year-old Kevin Mitchell of Raleigh tried to avoid a DWI checkpoint located on Roxboro Road.

The Highway Patrol said Trooper Haithcock lost control and drove across the right shoulder before colliding with Alice Fae Mullis's car on Duke Street.

Mullis's son told ABC11 Sunday that his mother has serious injuries.

"She has a broken hip and broken pelvis. She's 65 years old, and they're not sure when she's going to be able to walk again," Mitchell Barker said.

Barker said his mother will have to go through a lot of rehab.

Mullis, her sister who was a passenger in her car, and the trooper were all taken to Duke Hospital for treatment.

Trooper Haithcock has since been released from the hospital, but Barker said he's upset because although his aunt wasn't badly hurt, his mom is still in the hospital.

"I wish that they would be more careful if they're not directly chasing someone. If they're called in to assist, they don't need to drive high speeds and reckless," Barker said. "They're innocent people out here."

According to Highway Patrol spokesperson Sgt. Jeff Gordon, the trooper had lights and siren working right before he hit the Honda Mullis was driving.

Barker said his mother told him she didn't see any lights.

"She said she heard a siren, but as soon as she heard the siren it was 'Bam', without a second's notice. She didn't even get to look and see the car coming," her son said.

Officers caught Mitchell not far from the wreck when his car hit a ditch on Hwy.15-501 in Durham.

Mitchell was in custody at the Durham County Jail Sunday.

He's facing several charges, including DWI and speeding to elude arrest.

Barker is waiting for more details about the collision that hurt his aunt and his mother and said they may take legal action.

Meanwhile, the Highway Patrol said it is still investigating the crash.

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