Four people between the ages of 17 and 21 have died after a high-speed chase Monday night, Duplin County emergency officials say.
There were five people in the car, but only one survived.
Officials say the car ended up upside down and completely submerged in a pond near the intersection of the Kenansville bypass and Highway 11 in North Carolina.
A preliminary investigation revealed that on Monday, February 1 at approximately 10:13 pm, the State Highway Patrol tried to stop a vehicle for excessive speed on Highway 24 in Duplin County. The driver of a Ford passenger vehicle failed to stop for blue lights and siren and started eluding authorities. The pursuit moved through the town of Kenansville on Highway 24, ultimately turning on to Highway 11 north.
Upon reaching the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 903, the pursued vehicle failed to stop at a duly erected stop sign and traveled throughout Highway 903. The vehicle then traveled off the roadway, striking a fence before traveling into a pond where it soon became submerged in approximately 15 feet of water.
Responding troopers were could rescue 20-year-old Darien Wellington Gayle, who had exited the vehicle before it was submerged. Gayle was taken to Vidant Duplin ER with minor injuries.
Officials have not said what caused the chase and have not released the names of the people involved.
6 comments
Are high speed chases necessary? When they end in diaster, were they worth it? Why not let them go? 4 dead for what reason, spending? Sad?
Sending condolences and prayers to all families members involved. So sorry for your loss. Praying and sending Thank you to all law enforcement and Rescue Squad Personal and fire departments.
One of them was my niece . I know young people do stupid things but I agree that chases should be stopped . It seems with camera technology today we should be able to identify license plates easily.
Back off and catch up at their homes later. Love and miss you!
A terrible accident where 4 young lives were taken because at least one of them(the driver)was incapable of the right decision. Praying for the families of the deceased and also for the “journalist” who wrote this story. If you’re familiar at all with NC11 and 903, you know what I mean.
It’s very sad though, I don’t want to sound cold, let’s put the blame where it belongs, our decision in life has consequences, and when we do results can be damaging as in the case!!!
A chase for what? Speeding? Four kids pay the ultimate price for the driver’s bad choice. The persuing officer should not have given chase for the offense. They didn’t rob a bank. Prayers for the families involved.