On December 17, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a State Highway Patrol member attempted to stop a Jeep Liberty for a speeding violation on US 64 in Iredell County near the Alexander County Line.
The violator failed to stop and proceeded to flee. The violator traveled onto Liberty Church Road, where he lost control, drove off the roadway, re-entered the roadway, and collided with the patrol car. The chase continued onto Old Mountain Road where the trooper executed the precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver). This caused the violator to lose control and drive into a private driveway. As the trooper pulled into the driveway, the violator rammed the patrol car. The chase continued and a second PIT maneuver was executed, and the violator’s vehicle went into a ditch.
When approached by the trooper, the violator refused to exit the vehicle and re-entered the roadway continuing south on Old Mountain Road. A second trooper joined the pursuit. The violator then crossed the center line, striking a tractor-trailer head-on. This impact caused the Jeep to collide with the second trooper’s vehicle.
The suspect, Herman Eugene Williams Jr., 41, of Statesville, NC, was transported by medical helicopter to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation indicates speed and impairment were contributing factors in the collision. Old Mountain Road was closed in the area for several hours during the on-scene investigation. Charges are pending upon completion of the ongoing investigation. The State Highway Patrol’s Collision Reconstruction Unit is assisting with the investigation.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.
Both troopers were transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.