On July 12, what started out as a tip about an alleged North Carolina criminal’s whereabouts ended as a multi-car crash in Huntersville that injured six people, as reported by charlotteobserver.com and WXII12.com.
According to WXII12.com, police were acting on a tip that a man wanted for several charges was staying at a Cornelius, North Carolina hotel. When they tried to arrest him, though, he fled in an SUV.
The suspect got onto I-77 and Cornelius police and North Carolina Highway Patrol cars pursued him. He exited onto U.S. 21 and collided with a Cornelius police car as he attempted to make a U-turn. He then got back onto southbound I-77, spun into the median, and headed back northward amidst heavy weekend traffic. Police continued the chase as he exited I-77 in the Birkdale area.
According to charlotteobserver.com, the suspect crossed the center line on Statesville Road at Rich Hatchet Road and hit two oncoming cars. A third vehicle on Statesville Road collided with the wreck.
A Cornelius Police Department spokesman said six people were injured including the suspect. Three people were seriously injured, and one was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center. Two Cornelius police officers had minor injuries.
The spokesman said the suspect will be charged with nine counts relating to this accident. Charlotteobserver.com reported that he is wanted in two other counties as well and is listed on the North Carolina prison website as an “absconder from parole and probation”.
If these reports are accurate, this man’s attempt to elude authorities caused a crash that seriously injured three people. Thankfully, police said all three are expected to recover, but their recovery will be costly, financially and emotionally.
Victims who are seriously injured in an accident like this one may wonder how they may be compensated for their injuries when it is highly unlikely that the negligent driver has car insurance or personal assets. A skilled North Carolina personal injury attorney can determine whether a potential claim for damages could be paid from other sources, such as the victim’s uninsured motorist coverage. For more information, see our firm’s overview about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
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