State Trooper Injured In Durham Chase

DURHAM, N.C. — A state trooper is in critical condition, and the hunt is on for the man officers say is responsible for a horrible wreck.

Carl Paschall was mowing his yard near

Angier Avenue and Tyonek Road

in Durham late Friday morning when he saw Trooper Jerry Brand flying over the hill in his vehicle, sirens blaring.

Video:

"I saw him come over the hill," said Paschall. "It just raised up -- the car raised up, it was going so fast. It just started wiggling and he lost it."

"Sometimes these things happen," said Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Everett Clendenin. "Usually they don't elevate to something like this."

Lt. Clendenin said it all started at a driver's license checkpoint. He said that when a man in a green Honda turned around to avoid the troopers, Brand became suspicious and went after him.

"Our policy allows troopers to use their own discretion when to pursue a vehicle," he said.

Investigators are trying to figure out how fast Brand was going and why he lost control. A few hours after the crash, officers did find what they think is the suspect's car at a nearby apartment complex.

Brand is 40 years old and has been with the Highway Patrol since 1989. Although the investigation is in its early stages, officials say it appears Brand didn't violate any department policies.

Anyone with information about the crash or a possible suspect should contact the Highway Patrol Communication Center at

(919) 733-3861

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