Fiery Crash During Police Chase Shuts Down 64 Bypass

ASHEBORO N.C. (ACME NEWS) – A suspect trying to flee from police was involved in a fiery head on crash that shut down the westbound lanes of the 64 Bypass this afternoon.

In an email the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office says that the Criminal Apprehension Team was conducting surveillance on a wanted subject and attempted to pull them over on the Hwy 64 Bypass in Asheboro. That’s when police say the suspect refused to stop and a chase ensued. In the area of the ramp for the Zoo Connector, police say the suspect left the roadway and made a U-turn and began driving the wrong direction in the west bound lane. Shortly after that the suspect crashed head on with another vehicle. That crash trapped the passenger of the suspect vehicle. Fire, EMS and Carolina Air Care all responded to the incident.

With the highway shutdown Air Care landed directly on the highway at the scene and transported at least one patient from the scene. The wanted subject was placed under arrest according to the Sheriff’s Office. The NC Highway Patrol was already enroute to asset with the chase is handling the accident investigation.

The investigation is on-going and more information is expected to be released soon.

UPDATE 12/2/21 6:15 PM – We’ve now been able to confirm that the suspect vehicle was stolen and that both drivers were take to area hospitals and a passenger in the suspect vehicle who was pinned was airlifted from the scene. The Sheriff’s Office has not yet released the name of the suspect or the condition of those involved in the accident. More information is expected in the next 24 hours.

UPDATE 12/3/21 5:00 p.m. – This afternoon the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office released more details about yesterdays chase that ended in a fiery crash shutting down the westbound lanes of the 64 Bypass and sending 3 people to the hospital.

According to a press release by the Sheriff’s Office, on December 2nd, 2021 at around 2:30 in the afternoon the Criminal Apprehension Team attempted to pull over Larry Dean Land, who had multiple warrants for his arrest in Randolph, Brunswick, Davidson, and Guilford Counties. Police say that Land refused to stop and a pursuit ensued heading onto the 64 Bypass. The chase reaching speeds of 85 mph went from the Bypass onto 73/74, then back on to the Bypass. While on the entrance ramp for the Zoo Connector, Land, according to the press release, made a U-turn and began driving the wrong direction in the west bound lanes before crashing head-on with another vehicle.

The NC Highway Patrol and Sheriff’s Deputies involved in the chase reported they administered initial aid to the victims. According to an official with one of the fire departments that responded, police also used a fire extinguisher to put out a fire that had started in the suspects vehicle.

Fire, EMS, Ash-Rand Rescue, Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, and NC DOT all responded to the crash. Both Land and the driver of the vehicle he struck were transported to local hospitals by Randolph County EMS. A passenger with Land was pinned in the vehicle and had to be cut free by rescue crews. A landing zone directly on the Bypass was set up and UNC Aircare landed to pick up that passenger. All westbound lanes of the 64 Bypass were shutdown until around 5 p.m. NC Highway Patrol is

investigating the accident, but had not returned emails or calls asking for additional details at the time of publication. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office says that they are conducting an internal investigation.

The vehicle the suspect was driving had been reported stolen from the Davis Country Rd. area of Randleman on December 1st, 2021. Police say when Land was taken into custody they found a firearm and a controlled substance in his possession. After being checked out at a hospital Land was taken to the Randolph County Jail where he was served with multiple outstanding Warrants and Orders for Arrest from several counties.

UPDATE 12/4/21 3 P.M. – On December 3, 2021, additional Warrants out of Randolph County: Felony Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (for the U-Haul which was located on Kindley Farm Rd. and used in the Old Mendenhall Rd., Archdale, theft of ATVs), Felony Possession of Stolen Goods/Property, Felony Breaking and/or Entering, two counts Felony Larceny, Felony Possession of Stolen Goods/Property, and Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property (for Old Mendenhall Rd. burglary and theft of the ATVs). The magistrate found probable cause to issue these and a $20,000 secured bond. A first appearance was set for December 6, 2021, in Randolph County District Court on this matter.

Land was also served additional Warrants for Arrest out of Brunswick County for seven counts of Felony Breaking and/or Entering, three counts Felony Larceny After Break/Enter, two counts Felony Larceny and Felony Break or Enter a Motor Vehicle. A court date was set for January 11, 2022, in Brunswick County. (included in the original bond amount.)