Former mayor of Belmont will be laid to rest Sunday

BELMONT, N.C.,None — Family and friends will say goodbye to a key figure in the Belmont community tomorrow.

Former Belmont mayor Kevin Loftin was killed in a crash during a police chase on Wednesday.

The crash happened in Belmont near the corner of Wilkinson Boulevard and Highway 273 (Park Street).

Police said it all started when Lester Saunders Norman Jr. tried to flee from a license checkpoint.

Police said Norman, 42, was driving a black Acura and attempted to run over officers while fleeing around 10:15 p.m.

SLIDESHOW: Scene of deadly wreck

The chase ensued down Interstate 85 before coming to an end at the intersection when the driver collided with a silver Audi, driven by Loftin, 56.

A passenger in Loftin's car, Donna Jean Deitz, 60, was also killed.

“It really does not change how we will handle this case.  It is harder when it is someone you know to work these types of scenes.  But it’s just part of our jobs and we have to move forward and handle it like we do everything else,” said Belmont Police Chief Charlie Franklin.

Norman does not have a driver's license, and was on federal probation, which is why police said he took off to avoid going back to jail. Even after the crash, police said Norman still tried to escape officers by running away.

He's expected to appear in court Friday to face charges that include DWI and resisting arrest.

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A passenger in his car, Clifton Michael Lane, 25, was questioned by police and later released.

Channel 9 spoke to a man who said he stopped to make sure the people involved weren’t anyone he knew.

“People who are running from the law like that, they don’t care and now you got people, innocent lives, that get lost because of someone’s ignorance,” said Paul Mattison.

Norman was charged with felony death by vehicle and booked into the Gaston County jail with bail set at $500,000.

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Early Thursday morning, Tom Weathers received a knock at his door from police who told him his uncle was dead.

“There are no words to describe what we’re going through right now,” Weathers said.

Weathers described Loftin as a caring, selfless person who was very active in the Belmont area even though he was no longer the mayor.

“He had so much more to do. His passion was the community, Weathers said.

Weathers said he uncle was very religious. He said now his family are leaning on their church community to cope with the loss.

The funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. and will be held at the east Belmont Baptist church on Catawba street at 2 p.m.

WSOC