Trooper, women injured in Durham wreck
A state trooper going to help stop a fleeing DWI suspect ended up in a wreck in Durham late Saturday that sent him and two elderly women to the hospital, an agency spokesman said.
Posted — UpdatedSgt. Jeff Gordon said that Trooper David A. Haithcock lost control of his cruiser on the exit ramp from Interstate 85 to Duke Street around 11:48 p.m. The cruiser struck a ditch off the right side of the road, then collided with a Honda Accord in the intersection with Duke Street.
The Honda driver, Alice Mullis, and her passenger, Trisha Scott, remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries at Duke University Medical Center Sunday afternoon. Haithcock was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.
Gordon said the emergency lights and sirens on Haithcock's cruiser were activated as he approached the intersection.
The investigation into the crash hasn't been completed, and no charges have been filed.
Gordon said that Haithcock was going to help another trooper pursuing a driver who had fled after being questioned at a DWI checkpoint on the I-85 exit ramp to U.S. Highway 501 Business. The driver crashed into a ditch along Business 501 and was arrested.
Kevin Mitchell, 33, of Raleigh, was charged with driving while impaired, speeding to elude arrest, speeding, driving with a revoked license and failure to stop for blue lights and sirens.
He was placed in the Durham County jail under a $10,000 secured bond.
Mitchell was convicted of DWI in Wake County in August 2010, according to state Department of Correction records.
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