Knightdale, NC – A high-speed chase through eastern Wake County ended Wednesday afternoon with a suspect in critical condition after he crashed his SUV and inflicted injuries on himself, authorities said.
Chase Details
The pursuit began on Spectrum Drive in Knightdale when deputies from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office attempted to pull over a white Honda CR-V that resembled a vehicle linked to a Raleigh bank robbery earlier this week.
Around 1:30 p.m., Sky 5 captured the chase on Interstate 87, showing the driver weaving through traffic, driving on the shoulder, and traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The chase later continued onto Highway 64 Business through Knightdale, creating dangerous conditions for nearby motorists.
The SUV eventually collided with a gold sedan turning onto Knightdale Boulevard at Hinton Oaks Boulevard. After the initial crash, the suspect lost control, spinning into oncoming traffic before coming to a stop in the eastbound lanes.
Suspect Enters Business
The driver, later identified as Anthony Mingo, exited the vehicle near the Widewaters Commons shopping center and ran into 101 Kitchen. Deputies and police officers quickly surrounded the restaurant.
Shortly before 2 p.m., Mingo was removed from the building on a stretcher and placed into an ambulance. Authorities confirmed that he injured himself with a weapon while inside the restaurant. He remains in critical condition and is in custody.
Connection to Bank Robbery
Officials believe Mingo is connected to a PNC Bank robbery that occurred on Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh earlier this week. A deputy sustained minor injuries during the chase.
Eyewitness Accounts
Debra Stubblefield, the driver of the sedan involved in the crash, said she had just left Chick-fil-A with her mother when the SUV hit her car. Fortunately, neither she nor her mother was injured.
Winifred Richardson, a former Wake County Sheriff’s Office employee, witnessed customers fleeing 101 Kitchen as Mingo ran inside with a weapon.
Regina Lopez, another bystander, helped Stubblefield after the crash, noting the family’s shock and fear following the incident.
Police Statement
Tony Godwin of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office explained that pursuit policies allow officers to engage in chases under circumstances like this, particularly when the suspect is believed to have committed a violent crime. “There was a concern that, if we didn’t get him into custody, there was the potential for more violent crime,” Godwin said.
What do you think about high-speed police pursuits in residential areas? Share your thoughts in the comments below — how should law enforcement balance public safety with apprehending dangerous suspects?
