CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said a police chase involving a felon on Brookshire Boulevard Wednesday night ended in a crash that sent five people to the hospital, including a child.
The crash happened just before 10 p.m. and shut down the freeway in both directions where it meets Interstate 85.
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According to CMPD, officers learned on Tuesday that 27-year-old Marcus Alonzo Harris, who was wanted for felonious assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer in Fayetteville, may be in the area driving a Toyota Camry.
Officers said the Toyota was spotted at 9:55 p.m. Wednesday on inbound Brookshire Boulevard and when police tried to pull the car over, Harris sped off.
Officers followed and about a minute later police said Harris ran a red light while trying to turn onto I-85 south, and collided with a Mitsubishi Gallant, which was traveling east on the Brookshire. The collision pushed both vehicles into the path of a Chevrolet Cruz, causing another crash.
After the collisions, police said the Toyota caught fire, and officers worked to put the flames out before arresting Harris and helping those who were hurt.
According to CMPD, three passengers in the Mitsubishi were injured, and a fourth passenger -- 3-year-old Dallas Collins -- has serious injuries. They were all taken to the hospital where Dallas remains in critical condition. CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said the toddler was not in a car seat and that at one point had stopped breathing before being revived by paramedics.
The driver of the Chevrolet was also hurt but is expected to be OK.
Dallas’ great grandmother Evelyn Wright said she spent the night searching for a miracle after her daughter and great granddaughter were hurt in the crash.
“I got the call, heartbreaking,” Wright said. “I went up there. She wasn’t responsive at all, but God kept her.”
Wright said she got a call Thursday afternoon saying Dallas had come out of her coma, but there’s still so far to go.
“And to sit here, and wonder, just waiting. Can’t go see her, can’t see my daughter,” Wright said. “Just sitting by the phone, not knowing if they’re going to be alright or not.”
Harris was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
Police said Harris was formally charged for his involvement in the crash after he was released from the hospital.
He was served his outstanding warrants for three counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, felony flee to elude arrest, driving while license revoked and possession of marijuana.
He will also face additional charges for the crimes he committed which led to this crash.
As is standard procedure for all vehicle pursuits, an internal investigation will be conducted to ensure the officers’ actions were consistent with the CMPD’s policies and procedures.
“The policy as it is written now, it does appear the officers were well within that policy,” Jennings said.
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