Driver Dies After 3-County Car Chase

A three-county car chase ended Friday night with a multi-car collision that led to a man's death. A highway patrolman spotted Anthony Johnson, 27, speeding on westbound I-40 near Raleigh-Durham International Airport. With troopers in pursuit, Johnson's Camaro continued speeding and wove through traffic.

The convertible exited onto NC 55 southbound in Durham, turned west on NC 54 and south on NC 751, then through eastern Chatham County to US 64, where it turned east and headed back into Wake County.

During the chase, officers learned the car had been reported stolen August 13 from a Smithfield dealer.

Troopers tried to use stop sticks -- designed to deflate a vehicle's tires -- at two intersections on US 64, but Johnson had already sped through both places.

Johnson's car barreled into two vehicles at the intersection of US 64 and Laura Duncan Road. A southbound van carried a man, woman and two children, one of whom was thrown from the vehicle. A car with one occupant going north on Laura Duncan Road was also hit.

All passengers of the van were taken to Wake Medical Center. The man, Dwayne Crump, 32, is in critical condition, and the woman, Angela Crump, 31, and two children, Allison, 5, and Bryan, 3, are in stable condition.

Johnson was seriously injured. His Camaro caught fire, but troopers were able to contain the blaze just to the engine area. Cary and Apex rescue teams took 45 minutes to free Johnson. He was taken by helicopter to a local hospital, where he was declared dead.

Two other cars collided in the westbound lanes of US 64 during the rescue operation, but no one was injured.

Traffic was diverted around eastbound US 64 for several hours after the crash.

Officers said Johnson had an outstanding warrant against him for a probation violation, and that he had been convicted of manslaughter after another chase in Orange County.

Triangle