Troopers: Chase ends in deadly crash on I-40 E in Statesville

STATESVILLE, N.C. — A trooper-involved chase ended in a crash Tuesday morning on Interstate 40 in Iredell County, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Just before 9 a.m., a trooper stopped to check on two people as they were replacing a flat tire on a silver Hyundai Elantra near mile marker 146.

The trooper said that during their interaction, both occupants provided false identities. Further digging revealed one of the people with the vehicle may have had outstanding warrants.

While the trooper was working to confirm this information, both occupants fled in the vehicle.

The trooper pursued the vehicle as it traveled east on I-40. The driver then attempted to take Exit 150 toward NC-115, then collided with the rear of a FedEx delivery truck that was stopped at a traffic light on the exit ramp.

Troopers said the driver of the vehicle, 27-year-old Ridge Raeshaun Gay, was arrested and taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Gay has been charged with felony flee to elude arrest, felony death by vehicle, reckless driving, driving with a revoked license, failure to heed to lights and sirens, failure to stop for a steady red light, failure to reduce speed, and failure to maintain lane control, according to troopers.

The passenger in the vehicle, 28-year-old Keonte Shakir Forney, died at the scene.

The driver of the FedEx truck was treated and released at the scene for minor injuries, according to highway patrol.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Driver crashes during police chase through Gaston County

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