WALKERTOWN, NC -- The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating a pair of accidents involving two troopers Monday morning in a high speed chase in Stokes and Forsyth Counties. The chase ended with one trooper rescuing the suspect, pulling him from a burning car.
Demareo Rivers failed to stop for an expired registration violation and fled from troopers in his 2005 BMW on N.C. 65 around 7:30 AM, according to the NC State Highway Patrol. The chase lasted until Rivers attempted a U-turn on Pine Hall Road in Walkertown while being pursued into Forsyth County. Rivers crossed the center line and hit a Hyundai SUV head on, causing the BMW to catch fire and the ensuing patrol vehicle to strike a Dodge truck.
Despite suffering a gash on his head, Sgt. Eric Naylor with NCSHP says the trooper emerged from his car and pulled the suspect out to safety.
"For him to be able to keep himself to get there at the scene of the crash and get out when he was injured with blood all over himself it out, to get out and take care of the person in the other vehicle, I think that's a great testament to his character," said Naylor. "He is a hero in my eyes."
Naylor says the trooper's quick actions probably saved Rivers' life.
"I'd call him a hero, myself. That's going above and beyond the call of duty," said Naylor. "Given the situation, it can be very easy to get very excited when we are in a chase and for it to end that way with the vehicle on fire and he gets out well bleeding and goes and takes the violator out of his vehicle, I would call him a hero."
Mr. Rivers and the driver of the SUV were taken to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Their injuries aren't considered life-threatening. The driver of the truck wasn't injured. The trooper received stitches.
"For him to be able to keep himself together and get out to take care of the person in the other vehicle is a great testament to his character," said Sergeant Eric Naylor of the trooper.
Another trooper was on the way to assist in the chase when they were struck by a car at the intersection of N.C. 158 and U.S. 66.
Both patrol cars were totaled. A stretch of Pine Hall Road was closed while the investigation continued.
In total, seven cars were damaged in the two accidents, including two patrol cars, which were both totaled.
One driver broke a leg, the others are okay.
Emergency crews took both the trooper and the suspect to the hospital.
The Trooper got stitches and is expected to make a full recovery. He's currently on injury leave.
NCSHP identified the injured officer as Trooper N.R. White
There's also no word of the extent of the suspect's injury.
Troopers say charges are pending against Rivers.