Cary man faces felony charge after crash, attempted vehicle fire in Goldston

A Cary man faces a felony charge after authorities said he crashed into a concrete barrier protecting a propane tank in Goldston and then tried to set his vehicle on fire.

2026-09-01

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 1:30 p.m. Monday to the 300 block of N.C. Highway 42 after a report of a suspicious person.

Deputies determined that 42-year-old Matthew Robert Steinle had driven into the barrier and later placed paper inside the vehicle’s fuel tank and set it on fire. The vehicle did not explode.

Steinle was charged with felony possession of an incendiary or explosive device.

Steinle is scheduled to appear in Chatham County Court on Sept. 21.