Trooper Justin Matthew Maness was in pursuit of driver George Earl Johnson, Jr., 26, of Jamesville, NC for speeding at 73 mph in a 55 mph zone when the two vehicles were involved in a series of collisions.
Around noon on February 14, 2011, Trooper Maness followed Mr. Johnson through the parking lot at the Williamston Wal-Mart. As the two cars near the entrance to a KFC/Taco Bell, they came into contact with one another. The impact caused Mr. Johnson’s vehicle to veer out of control, finally stopping in front of a sign. Trooper Maness’s patrol car jumped the curb, struck a sign and landed in the grass near the parking lot.
Surprisingly, the story does not end there. Mr. Johnson attempted another getaway. As he pulled forward, his car hit another State Highway Patrol car head-on. Sergeant Kiplin Gray Sales was driving this second patrol car and sustained serious, evident injuries, according to the official accident report.
In the car with Mr. Johnson were two minors: Anthony Willis, 13, and Altarrek Bell, 8. Since these two children were in the car at the time of the incidents, Mr. Johnson has been charged with misdemeanor child abuse.
Mr. Johnson also faces charges of speeding 73 mph in a 55 mph zone, careless and reckless driving, felony speeding to elude arrest, driving while license revoked, and—last but not least—assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon.
Hopefully Sgt. Sales was not injured in a way that will cause him lasting disability.