ANSON COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities are investigating after a chase involving teenagers began in Union County and ended in a deadly crash in Anson County.
Officials told Channel 9 that just before midnight, troopers tried to stop a Dodge minivan that was speeding on U.S. 74 in the eastern portion of Union County.
[IMAGES: 1 dead, 3 hurt after minivan wrecks following chase]
The pursuit entered Anson County, where a trooper performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver), causing the driver of the minivan to lose control of the minivan, which went off U.S. 74 and flipped.
Four people in the minivan, all teenagers, were thrown from the vehicle. A 16-year-old girl died at the scene.
Authorities told Channel 9 the following Friday that another teen girl inside the minivan died in the crash.
Sources told Channel 9 her 15-year-old brother, who doesn't have a driver's license, was behind the wheel during the chase.
Troopers told Channel 9 that the person who died was the driver's sister.
NOW: @NCSHP investigating crash off US-74 near Anson/Union county line. SBI agents here too. Waiting on more info about what happened. pic.twitter.com/6zUI2tNFVA
— Liz Foster (@lizfostercooper) March 29, 2017
The driver and the other two passengers were taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, where another teenage girl is listed in critical condition. It was not clear how badly the others were hurt.
(Click PLAY to watch video of the scene from Chopper 9)
“The loss of life that occurred is tragic for everyone involved,” said Col. Glenn McNeill, commander of the State Highway Patrol.
The Highway Patrol’s RECON team and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have been requested to assist with the investigation.
Channel 9 asked Highway Patrol and the SBI how fast the van and trooper were going, but have not heard back. Both agencies also declined an interview.
No names have been released.
The district attorney will decide whether the driver and trooper will face any charges once the SBI is done with its investigation. Channel 9 asked if the trooper is on administrative leave, but has not received a response.
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