Report: Hickory officer hit minivan at 95 mph during chase that killed mother, son

HICKORY, N.C. — A motorcyclist accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in Hickory that resulted in the deaths of two people was expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

However, the attorney for 24-year-old Chancellor Johnson announced that he could not attend after he contracted COVID-19.

On Sept. 8, Johnson was involved in a police chase that ended when a Hickory police officer crashed into a minivan, killing 38-year-old Cynthia Nicole Fox and her son Michael Lail.

Johnson turned himself into the Catawba County Detention Center on Tuesday. He is facing two counts of eluding arrest with a motor vehicle causing death.

A police report released on Wednesday revealed that the officer was traveling 95 miles per hour at the time of the collision.

Family members said Fox had the green light when she pulled out into the intersection and was struck by the officer. Her vehicle was knocked over 275 feet due to the collision.

Channel 9′s Dave Fahery spoke with Johnson’s attorney, Lisa Dubs, about the latest developments in the case.

“Well, obviously, he is very concerned and heartbroken about what happened. The accident itself is horrific, and I don’t mean to diminish it in any way. I am concerned that the charging entity in this case is the Hickory Police Department, whom I would hope or assume is still under investigation,” Dubs said.

The officer involved in this crash is currently on administrative leave, pending an investigation.

It will be up to the district attorney’s office to decide whether or not that officer will face any charges.

Highway patrol said it could take months for an investigation into the crash to be completed.

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