FROM STAFF REPORTS

The N.C. State Highway Patrol is investigating a high-speed chase involving a Statesville man that ended in a head-on collision on Old Mountain Road in Alexander County.

Statesville resident Herman Eugene Williams Jr., 41, was airlifted from the scene of the crash late Tuesday afternoon. Two state troopers were also transported to the hospital after sustaining non-life-threatening injuries during the pursuit.

A trooper attempted to stop Williams, who was driving a Jeep Liberty, for speeding on U.S. Highway 64 in Iredell County about 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to the NCSHP.

After failing to stop, Williams fled the area. As the trooper pursued on Liberty Church Road, Williams lost control of the Jeep, which crashed into the patrol car, according to the NCSHP. 

Later, while pursuing Williams onto Old Mountain Road, the trooper executed a maneuver that caused the suspect to leave the road and pull into a driveway. At that point, Williams rammed the trooper’s vehicle and then drove away, according to the NCSHP.

The trooper then forced the suspect to drive into a ditch, but Williams refused to exit the Jeep and drove off again, traveling south on Old Mountain Road. After a second trooper joined the pursuit, Williams’ Jeep crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer, the NCSHP reported. The driver of the tractor-trailer escaped injury.

The impact of the crash caused the suspect’s SUV to crash into the second trooper’s vehicle.

According to the NCSHP, speed and impairment were contributing factors in the collision. Charges are pending upon completion of the ongoing investigation.