Use of PIT maneuver in fatal Moore County crash raises questions

Shonquelle Davare Barrett, 22, of Aberdeen, died at the scene after the Friday night pursuit, which occurred around 10 p.m. on US Highway 1 between Aberdeen and Pinebluff, authorities said.

The technique used by the trooper in an effort to try and stop Barrett's Honda Accord is known as the PIT maneuver.

PIT stands for Precision Immobilization Technique.

Officers will deploy the techinque by bumping a fleeing car from behind in an effort bring a pursuit to an end.

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Authorities say Barrett's vehicle had turned around in order to avoid a sobriety checkpoint that had been set up in Moore County. The trooper began chasing Barrett's car as it tried to leave the scene.

After the trooper used the PIT maneuver, Barrett lost control of his car, which crashed into a tree on NC Highway 1.

Barrett was the grandson of the mayor of Taylortown.

As the SBI continues the investigation, WRAL News asked state officials about the guidelines the are used before a decision is made to use the PIT maneuver.

According to the state patrol guidelines, the PIT maneuver is governed by the same factors as other forced vehicle stops and shall only be used when the officer has determined the benefit of immediate apprehension outweighs the decision to discontinue the chase.

The guidelines also prohibit the PIT technique when a fleeing vehicle is traveling faster than 55 miles per hour unless the officer has probable cause to believe the occupants of the vehicle have committed a violent felony; or other extenuating circumstances exist that warrant the use of deadly force.

The State Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe into the Friday night crash as they try to determine if any of those circumstances existed to create a need for the officer to use the PIT technique. Investigators will also ask if the guidelines were properly followed to justify the loss of life.