Motorcycle Pursuit Ends In Fatal Crash
JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — A 21-year-old Archer Lodge man died Saturday night after crashing a motorcycle while fleeing from a Johnston County deputy.
The incident began around 11:55 p.m. when a Johnston County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a 2013 Kawasaki motorcycle for speeding and running a red light on Clayton Boulevard (US 70) in the Clayton city limits.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the motorcyclist, identified as John Cutler Murray, failed to stop and accelerated away from the deputy. A short pursuit followed as Murray traveled along Powhatan Road at a high rate of speed.
Investigators said Murray lost control of the motorcycle while approaching the intersection of Powhatan Road and Harrison Road in Wilson Mills. The motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the centerline, and ran off the left side of the roadway.
Murray was ejected from the motorcycle and struck a telephone box and a small tree in the front yard of a residence on Harrison Road.
Authorities said the pursuing deputy briefly lost sight of the motorcycle and did not witness the actual collision. The deputy immediately located the crash scene and began rendering first aid until EMS and fire personnel arrived.
Murray was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.
Troopers determined the motorcyclist was involved in a property-damage hit-and-run collision in Clayton during the pursuit. That incident was investigated by the Clayton Police Department.
The State Highway Patrol said speed and alcohol are considered contributing factors in the fatal crash. Murray was wearing a North Carolina Department of Transportation-approved helmet.
Although the pursuit began in Clayton, the crash occurred in the Wilson Mills town limits. The Highway Patrol is leading the investigation with assistance from the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson Mills Police Department, and Clayton Police Department.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Sgt. N.D. White at the Johnston County Highway Patrol Smithfield District Office at 919-934-2186.
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We’re living in some wild lawless times. America has a mental health crisis.
There was nothing wrong with Johnny ****
Clearly *something* was wrong with him to think running from the law on a motorcycle was the best option.
I agree with you. However, a large portion of the population are in denial about what is going on. I wish this young man would have just pulled over and taken the ticket. It would have had a better result. RIP young man. Condolences to his family.
I agree with your statement however I don’t think a true mental health issue was at play here. I think like most young men his age who think drinking alcohol (if that is determined) and driving he probably had the mindset “it won’t happen to me” and made a bad decision.
I was at dominoes when he ran the light and instantly three cops were chasing him. I turned on my scanner and heard the whole thing. I knew he wouldn’t survive
All he had to do was pull to the side of the road and he’d be alive today.
It’s never a smart idea to not stop for the “blue lights” but especially when you are riding on something where you are less protected if you were to be involved in an accident. So sad!
Sad ! This happened near my house ! Saw them doing chest compression I know whoever it was died when the paramedics took awhile to leave .
Are you able to message me on Facebook?
Lady Jay, please if you are able message me on Facebook, I’d greatly appreciate it- Sam Wasdin
This is so sad a lot of us graduated with him at Corinth holders one of the funniest uplifting people you would meet. He was struggling give him grace as well as his family there’s a ongoing mental health crisis in America.
What a sad story. In the moment it’s so hard to see consequences all the way through but you have to stop and think. Prayers go out to his family.
I am tired of people running from the law. I believe there need to be much harsher penalties for fleeing. I am thankful he did not hurt anyone else.
My heart goes out to this boy’s mama.. Young people do not realize how precious life is and how fast it can be taken away. When my brother died in a vehicle accident it really hit me hard what life is a vapor meant. I knew what it meant already but it hit me hard how fast life can be taken away. I am so sorry for this mother. My son has a motorcycle. I am on edge everytime he leaves until he comes home.
How far did this chase go on ? It seems it could have turned out different if you just catch him next time….just a thought
Yes.
Yeah the Clayton cops are ***** and don’t care about human life, the officers let their emotions lead instead of making a professional unbiased opinion and could’ve prevented this loss but they don’t know when to stop.
What are you talking about? Clayton has a no chase policy ( which sucks )… Clayton Cops had little to do with this at all.
Chasing is far too dangerous to be doing it for traffic infractions.
Be kind. He lost his granddad in October and his dad in November. He made a choice and now this family is grieving another loss in a short amount of time. It’s easy to sit behind a keyboard and say what he should’ve done but if you have nothing nice to say then maybe you should just be quiet. ✌🏼
I’d love to know how fast this pursuit got? How fast was this deputy going? How fast are law enforcement officers allowed to drive chasing someone???? Was this chase really necessary??? Maybe….if he killed someone! But he’d didn’t! Now, he’s gone! 😡 A life gone too young. His poor poor mother has to live her entire life without her son.
Was it necessary for the adult on the motorcycle not to stop for blue lights? He made the decision to run. Had he stopped, like the law says you are supposed to, he would still be here. Maybe a ticket, maybe jail, maybe even a warning. It’s sad he lost his life, but that is the decision HE made. Stop trying to make it out to be the fault of law enforcement. Too many people in this world not taking accountability for their actions. There was nothing going on in his life that makes it ok to run from law enforcement.
Hard to take a turn on a motorcycle going over 60 mph!