Fayetteville man killed in high-speed chase in Bladen
A Fayetteville man was killed late Tuesday in a high-speed chase in Bladen County, authorities said.
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Bladen County deputies saw a car traveling at about 75 mph in a 35-mph zone on U.S. Highway 701 Business in Clarkton shortly before midnight, but the car sped away as the deputies tried to pull it over, authorities said.
The car reached 100 mph as it exited U.S. 701 onto Mercer Mill Road and then Lisbon Road, where the car went out of control, authorities said. The driver over-corrected and hit a tree on the left side of the road, and the car then flipped several times, throwing the driver out.
The driver, identified as Eric Jason Jones, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies found a stolen handgun and various drugs in the car.
Jones was wanted in both Cumberland County and Bladen County for failing to appear in court on various charges, authorities said.
"At no time did our deputies strike the vehicle," Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker said in a statement. "This wreck was caused by Jones' high rate of speed and losing control of the vehicle. ... This was a tragic accident which could have been avoided."
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.
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