Two dead after police chase ends in crash in Moore County

Two people died and a third person was injured Friday night after a car crashed into a tree during a police chase in Moore County, authorities said.

According to authorities, a Pinehurst police officer tried stopping a vehicle at about 9 p.m. on Juniper Lake Road near U.S. Highway 15-501.

The driver of the car initially pulled over to the side of the road, but it sped away once the officer was outside of his cruiser. The car wrecked shortly after, hitting a tree, investigators said.

Lashonda Belk, of Carthage, and Gregory Harris, of Aberdeen, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Patrick McKenny, of Carthage, was taken to the hospital, authorities said. The officer was not injured.

The Highway Patrol is investigating the wreck.

No additional information was immediately available.