South Carolina man fired at multiple cars on I-95 in North Carolina, led deputies on multi-county chase into Virginia
NASH COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Nash County Sheriff's Office says a man is in custody after firing at multiple cars on I-95 and leading deputies on a high-speed chase into Virginia.
Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone said the office received calls around 6 p.m. Saturday about a person driving erratically along I-95 and gunshots coming out of the car at the motoring public.
A deputy made contact with the car driven by Franklin Joseph Dangerfield, 34, of Ladson, South Carolina.
WATCH: Nash County sheriff gives update on I-95 shooting
Sheriff Stone said Dangerfield shot at multiple cars and injured two people. One person was taken to a Greenville hospital for surgery. A woman was injured from flying debris and glass and was taken to Halifax Memorial Hospital.
"I don't know if it's stupid or mean," Stone said Sunday. "The motoring public were going down the road, minding their own business, families, kids, loved ones going up and down the road and someone not only driving in the manner he was driving...it's very alarming.
His North Carolina charges will include assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury on two people and several assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill charges on possibly up to eight people.
Sheriff Stone said Dangerfield began shooting when he entered North Carolina in Robeson County between Rowland and Lumberton. When Dangerfield entered Nash County, he began firing more frequently so deputies were able to intercept and pursue him to the 11-mile marker in Virginia.
"It's a very scary situation and God was with these people last night," Stone said.
Virginia State Police then took over the chase. Near the 11B exit in Emporia, Dangerfield crashed into the median and was soon arrested without incident.
One Nash County deputy was injured in the wreck but he is now home recovering. His K-9 officer Pebbles is expected to be fine as well.
Stone said multiple shotgun shells were in Dangerfield's car and he was in possession of a sawed-off shotgun. The chase reached speeds of 110 mph.
ATF is still investigating the shootings.
Dangerfield is currently at Virginia Medical Center in Richmond being guarded by Virginia State Police until he is released and processed by Virginia for charges including DUI and reckless driving.
The Nash County Sheriff credited Robeson County Sheriff's Office, Nash County deputies, Northampton County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Transportation with preserving lives on the road.
