Father killed, son injured in high-speed chase
State troopers said that a 32-year-old man died and his 14-year-old son was injured Thursday in a wreck that occurred during a high-speed chase with Laurinburg police.
Posted — UpdatedTroopers said that several motorists called about a 1989 GMC Suburban swerving and driving dangerously on U.S. Highway 51-501 around 7 p.m. Shortly after, Laurinburg police officers spotted the SUV and turned on their blue lights, attempting to stop it.
Instead, troopers said, driver Antonio Domond Bethea, of Graham, turned onto N.C. Highway 79 and sped up to 90 mph. The officers gave pursuit.
At 7:13 p.m., Bethea over-corrected and lost control of the SUV coming around a curve, troopers said. The SUV crossed the center line, went up a dirt embankment and collided with a tree.
Bethea was partially ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His son, whose name wasn't released, was airlifted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Troopers said Friday that the teen was in serious condition but was expected to survive.
Troopers said that Bethea was not wearing a seat belt, but his son was wearing one. The wreck remains under investigation.
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