Two high-speed chases, two stolen cars and a suspect in handcuffs: This is what unfolded across Wake and Durham counties on Monday.
The first chase grabbed the attention of troopers as the suspect sped down Interstate 40 just after rush hour.
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Around 7 p.m., deputies tried to stop a speeding Hyundai Elantra on I-40 in Wake County. When the driver refused to pull over, a pursuit began near Cary Towne Boulevard.
The chase ended when the driver lost control and crashed into a tree.
During the pursuit, deputies discovered the car had been reported stolen.
The driver and four juvenile passengers were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing, and charges are expected.
Police chase in Durham ends with crash into utility pole, suspect faces long list of charges
The second incident began around 12:28 p.m. when a State Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop a black Chrysler Pacifica for a seatbelt violation on Crown Parkway.
The driver, 27-year-old Michael Devon Hester Jr., fled the scene, starting a pursuit that spanned both Wake and Durham counties.
The chase eventually ended near downtown Durham, but the Durham County Sheriff's Office continued the pursuit.
The chase resulted in a serious crash on Angier Avenue at Bingham Street. Hester's vehicle struck a pickup truck, left the road and crashed into two utility poles.
A witness described seeing the chase while at a stoplight on Southgate.
“I heard sirens, and next thing I know, there was a black car with tinted windows speeding about 100 mph on Holloway towards downtown, with a state trooper and several sheriff’s deputies in pursuit,” the witness said. “Five minutes later, I went to get gas, and as I was pumping, I saw two ambulances and about six Durham police officers heading toward the scene. I then drove down Hoover Road and saw the car from the chase, overturned and tangled in power lines.”
Through the investigation, it was discovered that the car had been reported stolen.
Hester was treated for minor injuries at the scene and then taken to the Durham County Jail.
He faces multiple charges from the State Highway Patrol, including:
- Felony fleeing to elude arrest
- Felony possession of a stolen vehicle
- Felony assault with a deadly weapon
- Failing to heed blue lights and siren
- Aggressive driving to endanger
- Driving with a revoked license
- Failure to wear a seatbelt
- Unsafe passing
- Running a red light
- Stop sign violation
Frontier Electric is working to assess the damage to the poles and power lines, while the Durham County Sheriff’s Office has also filed additional charges against Hester.