The convertible exited onto NC 55 southbound in Durham, turned west onNC 54 and south on NC 751, then through eastern Chatham County to US 64,where it turned east and headed back into Wake County.
During the chase, officers learned the car had been reported stolenAugust 13 from a Smithfield dealer.
Troopers tried to use stop sticks -- designed to deflate a vehicle'stires -- at two intersections on US 64, but Johnson had already spedthrough both places.
Johnson's car barreled into two vehicles at the intersection of US 64and Laura Duncan Road. A southbound van carried a man, woman and twochildren, one of whom was thrown from the vehicle. A car with oneoccupant going north on Laura Duncan Road was also hit.
All passengers ofthe van were taken to Wake Medical Center. The man, Dwayne Crump, 32, isincritical condition, and the woman, Angela Crump, 31, and two children, Allison, 5, and Bryan, 3, are in stable condition.
Johnson was seriously injured. His Camaro caught fire, buttroopers were able to contain the blaze just to the engine area.Cary and Apex rescue teams took 45 minutes to free Johnson. He was takenby helicopter to a local hospital, where he was declared dead.
Two other cars collided in the westbound lanes of US 64 during therescue operation, but no one was injured.
Traffic was diverted around eastbound US 64 for several hours after thecrash.
Officers said Johnson had an outstanding warrant against him for aprobation violation, and that he had been convicted of manslaughter afteranother chase in Orange County.
Triangle
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