FROM STAFF REPORTS

One suspect is dead and a second is on the run following a police pursuit that began in Mooresville early Friday morning.

A man, who has not been identified, was hit by a vehicle and killed while trying to avoid apprehension by officers, according to a Mooresville Police Department news release.

About 1:49 a.m. Friday, MPD officers responded to the area of Bluefield Road in an attempt to locate a vehicle with a stolen license plate, police said.

Officers located the vehicle on Carriage Club Drive and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, according to the news release. Officers later learned the car had been reported stolen in Charlotte, police said.

The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and fled southbound on Interstate 77 from Exit 36, police said. In an attempt to apprehend the driver, officers successfully deployed stop sticks on I-77 between Exit 36 and Exit 35.

The vehicle slowed and then abruptly stopped in the southbound HOV lane of I-77 near mile marker 34, police said.

Two men then exited the vehicle and fled from officers on foot, according to the news release.

The unidentified passenger ran south on I-77 and has not been apprehended, police said.

The driver of the vehicle fled eastbound toward I-77 northbound and jumped across the concrete barrier of the toll lanes and was struck by a vehicle traveling in the northbound HOV lane, according to the news release. The driver of the stolen vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The driver and passenger of the vehicle that struck the suspect were not hurt.

The N.C. State Highway Patrol responded to the scene and is investigating the fatal collision. The MPD and NCSHP are continuing their investigation.

If you have any information on this case, please contact Officer Dias of the Mooresville Police Department at 704-664-3311.