Trooper sacrifices patrol car to prevent wrong-way driver on Interstate 40

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A chase on Interstate 40 ended with a North Carolina State Highway Patrol cruiser mangled in a crash.

The chase started in Johnston County when the driver refused to pull over, according to deputies. The chase then dragged on to I-40 and into Raleigh.

Shortly after midnight, Johnston County Sheriff's Office called Raleigh Police Department and NCSHP requesting help in stopping the car.

The driver of the car then started up the wrong way on an exit ramp. A trooper parked their car across the ramp to prevent the driver from going the wrong way down I-40 and endangering other drivers.

"Undoubtedly, our member's decision to stop the fleeing vehicle by putting themselves in harm's way stopped the potentially catastrophic event of a wrong way driver from entering onto I-40," NCSHP said in a statement.

The driver of the car did crash into the trooper's vehicle. The trooper was not injured, but the driver of the car has multiple injuries and needed to be taken to WakeMed. He's also facing multiple charges including driving while impaired.