NC Man wanted in 100+ mph chase is caught days later when 2nd chase ends in crash: Sheriff

OXFORD, N.C. (WNCN) — A man who was wanted in a wild 100+ mph chase last weekend was caught Friday after a second chase ended in a crash, according to the Granville County Sheriff.

The first chase happened July 13, covered two counties and the suspect nearly crashed his car into two Granville County deputies , Granville County Sheriff Robert Fountain said in a news release.

The chase began around 2 p.m. that day when deputies tried to arrest Kevin Ryan Lassiter on existing warrants, the news release said. Fountain said Lassiter took off in a Mercedes-Benz 300, fleeing at speeds over 100 mph.

The chase later went into Vance County and Lassiter stopped his Mercedes, jumped out, and ran from the scene. His Mercedes was seized and he disappeared.

On Friday, Fountain said his deputies determined Lassiter was hiding out in Vance County and his office requested help from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

When confronted Friday, Lassiter again fled deputies — this time only hitting about 60 mph in a Kia Sorento, Fountain said.

The chase Friday went from Satterwhite Point Road in Vance County —  into Granville County — and later back into Vance County, according to Fountain.

“The determination was made to end the pursuit with a PIT maneuver,” Fountain said. “Vance County Sheriff’s Office executed a successful maneuver which ended the pursuit.”

Lassiter’s SUV was wrecked and on its roof after the chase ended along Gillburg Road in Vance County, Fountain said.

Speeds in the second chase were slower because they were mainly on back roads and a couple of towns, Fountain told CBS 17 Saturday.

Lassiter was taken into custody at the scene and had minor injuries. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, was later released and is now being held without bond in the Granville County Jail, Fountain said.

Charges against Lassiter after the first chase include felony – flee/elude arrest and two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon upon governmental officers or employees, the news release after the first chase said.

“Lassiter will be charged with additional charges from Vance County as well as from Granville County,” Fountain said in a Friday evening news release.

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