CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two people are facing charges following an overnight chase that ended in a crash and sent one highway patrol trooper to the hospital.
Tomonta Simmons and Deontaye Smith were taken into custody following the pursuit early Sunday.
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Investigators said Simmons was speeding and wouldn’t stop when a trooper tried to pull him over on I-77 south near W.T Harris.
Investigators said Simmons reached speeds of 130 mph trying to elude the trooper, getting off the interstate onto Oakdale Road.
It was in this area the trooper believes Smith displayed a handgun.
The chase ended at the corner of Oakdale Road and Brookshire Boulevard after investigators said Simmons rammed the trooper’s cruiser. Both vehicles ran off the road and crashed in front of a storage unit facility.
Simmons and Smith were taken into custody. The trooper was treated at a local hospital for a concussion and released Sunday.
Investigators spent the afternoon combing the area for the gun officials believe the suspects were in possession of prior to the crash.
Neighbors expressed concern someone else may find the weapon.
“There are children everywhere,” said Eric Smith, who lives off Oakdale Road. “There’s a school right down the street and kids are always riding their bikes and playing. It would be awful if one of them found the gun.”
Channel 9 learned both Simmons and Smith are convicted felons. Simmons is currently on felony probation, according to investigators.
(Simmons and Smith)
Investigators said the vehicle was a rental.
Simmons was booked into the Mecklenburg County jail on a felony charge.
Smith was cited for misdemeanor resist, delay and obstruct.
Channel 9 spoke with a worker at a storage facility nearby who described the scene as chaotic.
“I'm just glad everything is OK,” said Cathy Yatz. “I'm glad the police officer is fine and I'm glad they caught the people who did this.”