Halifax man facing attempted murder charges after police chase

Darius Sykes, 29, was charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count each of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and fleeing to elude arrest after he led Halifax County sheriff's deputies, Roanoke Rapids police and the state Highway Patrol on a 30-minute, 20-mile chase from Halifax to Roanoke Rapids.

Authorities were responding to a domestic disturbance call at Sykes' mother's home on Heathsville Road when he left in her gray Honda.

A deputy and Highway Patrol trooper spotted the car on nearby Piney Grove Church Road, where the chase began.

At two points during the chase, authorities said, Sykes turned directly into the path of officers, forcing them off the road and causing them to nearly wreck.

The chase came to an end at Halifax County Medical Center, where Sykes allegedly turned into the path of a police officer, hitting the passenger-side door of the patrol car.

He was arrested and taken to Central Prison in Raleigh, where he is being held without bond until his first court appearance on Nov. 14.

Investigators don't know why Sykes fled from officers, but his mother, Patricia Sykes, said Wednesday that he is bipolar and schizophrenic and has not been taking his medication.