Jones Ferry Road in Carrboro has reopened and a suspect is facing charges after a police chase earlier this morning.
Authorities confirmed that a suspect fled Carrboro Police, which led to a wreck that closed the thoroughfare before nine o’clock Wednesday morning for a little more than an hour.
Carrboro Police Captain Chris Atack said that an officer observed an accident in the area of Hillsborough Road and Simpson Street. As the officer circled around to the scene, Atack said that the suspect who appeared to cause the first accident fled the scene. Atack said the officer had his lights and sirens activated, but the suspect continued his attempt to escape.
The driver then made a “variety of traffic violations,” Atack said, as he drove down Davie Road and made a right turn onto Jones Ferry Road while driving “way too fast.” That speed appears to have been a factor in the vehicle then hitting the median on Jones Ferry Road and flipping before coming to rest.
The suspect – 54-year-old Rodney Merritt of Carrboro – was then taken to UNC Hospitals for treatment of minor injuries. Atack said Merritt would be taken into custody once he was discharged from the hospital. Merritt is facing a variety of misdemeanor traffic charges. Atack said he will also be charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest.
Atack said that the investigation is ongoing into whether Merritt was impaired at the time of the crash. Police are also continuing to investigate any connections to the vehicle. The investigation could lead to additional charges.
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