CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper's pursuit of a suspect ended with a deadly crash when the driver crashed into a FedEx truck, the agency said on Tuesday.
The crash happened around 9 a.m. on I-40 near exit 150 in Iredell County. Keonte Forney, 28, a passenger in the suspect car, died in the crash.
An NC SHP trooper approached Forney and Ridge Gay, the driver of the suspect car, near exit 146 on I-40. The two were fixing a flat tire when the trooper approached them.
Forney and Gay gave the trooper false names during their interaction, according to NC SHP. It was later learned that Forney was wanted for multiple warrants. The trooper asked the two to stay on the scene but they drove off from the area, according to NC SHP.
The trooper followed the suspects on I-40 until they took Exit 150 toward NC-115. Gay then crashed into the back of a FedEx truck that was stopped at a red light.
Gay is charged with the following:
- Felony Flee to Elude Arrest
- Felony Death by Vehicle
- Reckless Driving
- Drive While License Revoked
- Fail to Heed to Light & Siren
- Fail to Stop for Steady Red Light
- Failure to Reduce Speed
- Fail to Maintain Lane Control
Gay's bond has not been released. It's unclear when his next court date is at this time.