Report Says Hickory Police Vehicle Was Going 95 MPH When It Struck Van Causing Two Deaths

The North Carolina Highway Patrol says a Hickory Police Department vehcile was traveling 95 mph when it struck a vehicle resulting in two deaths.

Cynthia Lail and her 12-year-old son Michael were killed in the crash, which happened around 11 p.m. on September 8th. The mini van that Lail was driving was moving at an estimated speed of 10 mph at the moment of impact at the intersection of 13th Street SW and U.S. Highway 70. No charges have been filed by the Highway Patrol.

Hickory Police have charged a motorcycle operator with fleeing from police in the chase that resulted in the deaths.

Valdese resident Chanceler Timothy Johnson, 24, surrendered at the Catawba County jail shortly before noon on Tuesday. Johnson is said to have been attempting to elude Police and has been charged with two felony charges of eluding arrest in a motor vehicle causing death. He’s also been served with a misdemeanor out-of-county probation violation. As of earlier on Wednesday, Johnson remained in custody with a secured bond set at $85,000.

Johnson did not crash into Lail. Hickory police officer Atia Shamseldin, 24, collided with the Lail vehicle as he was pursuing Johnson.

Shamseldin has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation into the crash.