Dog dies, driver taken to hospital in crash from Durham deputy pursuit

Durham County deputies were involved in a crash on Thursday afternoon. The involved deputies were in the middle of an investigation into drug trafficking that led to a brief pursuit.

The Durham County Sheriff's Office said the person at the center of the investigation was approached by investigators at a nearby business and fled the area.

In the last three weeks, WRAL has covered at least four law enforcement chases, including a fatal one in Tarboro and one in Mount Olive where two officers were hurt.

On Thursday, deputies were in an unmarked vehicle and pursued the suspect vehicle for approximately one mile. At the intersection of Guess Road and Broad Street, the Sheriff’s Office vehicle and another driver collided.

In that vehicle was a driver and two small dogs that were unrestrained.

Investigators stopped to help to the driver, who was taken to the hospital. One of the dogs died in the crash.

Robin Harris, with Around the Corner insurance agency, says she hears crashes a lot being by the busy intersection. However, this one was different. She heard the force of the impact inside her building, roughly 50 yards away.

"I was in my back office with a client and all the sudden, the impact was so loud, it almost felt like it shook us inside the office," Harris said.

Harris says at the crash site she often sees families with strollers, including earlier that day.

"About six babies, along the side of the road," she said. "All I could think of was I was glad the timing didn't add up."

A spokesperson said no deputies were on leave as a result of the chase.

WRAL News asked the sheriff's office it it's reviewing if the chase was justified. The office is reviewing their policies and procedures in relation to the pursuit.

No deputies were hurt. The drug investigation is still ongoing.