Person County chase ends in 2-vehicle crash; 4 hospitalized

ROXBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- Four people were taken to a hospital after a two-vehicle crash on US 501 that started with a pursuit by a Person County deputy.

It happened shortly after 2:45 p.m. Monday and ended near the Boston Road intersection.

Person County Sheriff Jason Wilborn said it started after the suspect nearly caused an accident while pulling out of a nearby convenience store.

SEE ALSO | 1 dead, 1 injured after Wake County chase ends in crash, NCSHP says

The pursuit, which involved a black Nissan Frontier, lasted less than two miles before the crash.

"I come to my front door, and by that time, I'd seen it come rolling by with the officer behind him and then I heard a big boom, like bang," said Holly Loftis, who lives in the area. "So, I walked out and the truck was rolling and the car had went down in the ditch."

The Frontier had collided with a blue Honda Accord, which sustained heavy damage to the driver's side and rear.

The sheriff says the suspect was thrown from the truck, which came to rest on its right side on the grassy median. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

All three people inside the Honda, including the driver, were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Both vehicles were towed away around 3:45 p.m.

An ABC11 Data Team analysis found that since 2013, at least 50 people in North Carolina have been killed during police chases, including at least five who were not part of the pursuit.

ABC11 also found that the legality of law enforcement chases in North Carolina largely boils down to the discretion of the officer or deputy involved. if in the moment, they believe the risks of letting the suspect go outweigh the risks of a chase -- they're largely protected by law.