FROM STAFF REPORTS
A Salisbury man was seriously injured on Monday afternoon when he crashed his motorcycle while attempting to elude a Troutman Police Department officer.
Ace Garrison, 26, was transported to a regional trauma center shortly after the crash, which occurred about 4:50 p.m. at the intersection of Rumple Street and South Main Street, according to a TPD news release.
A few minutes before the crash, a TPD officer observed a blue motorcycle pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone in front of South Iredell High School, police said.
After the officer caught up to the motorcycle at the intersection of Old Mountain Road and North Main Street, he activated his blue lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop of the motorcycle, according to the news release.
Instead of pulling over, the motorcycle rider failed to come to a stop, turned around, and waved at the officer before accelerating at a high rate of speed in heavy traffic between vehicles by traveling on the center double yellow line, police said.
According to the TPD, the officer canceled his pursuit immediately due to the amount of traffic and safety concerns for the public’s safety.
The officer continued traveling at or below the speed limit in traffic with no emergency equipment activated. Upon reaching the intersection with Rumple Street and South Main Street, the officer observed a collision involving the motorcycle and another vehicle, police said.
The operator of the motorcycle, identified as Garrison, was found suffering serious but not life-threatening injuries, according to the news release.
Troutman Fire & Rescue and Iredell County EMS personnel responded to the scene and Garrison was transported to a regional trauma center.
Warrants have been obtained for Garrison for the following charges: felony flee to elude arrest, possession of marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for transportation of a controlled substance, and various traffic offenses.
When Garrison is release from medical treatment, he will be served with the outstanding arrest warrants.