The North Carolina Highway Patrol is looking into a chase involving a tractor-trailer truck that traveled through Brevard and Rosman Friday morning.
A Highway Patrol spokeswoman stated that the chase featured a tractor-trailer, resulting in a catastrophe with injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer has been identified as Andrew Gamble of Texas.
The State Highway Patrol reported that Gamble was charged with:
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Hit and run
- Driving while impaired
Troopers said the driver was initially stopped for speeding on NC 280 but then accelerated away. The chase followed US 64 through sections of Brevard. The chase ended when the tractor-trailer went off the road and into a person’s yard on Pickens Highway near Rosman.
“At some point during the chase, the driver of the tractor trailer intentionally struck two of our troopers that were engaged in the pursuit, disabling their patrol cars,” stated Lt. Josh Dowdle of the NC Highway Patrol.
The truck sideswiped one trooper’s vehicle, causing minor injuries.
“It eventually struck a Transylvania County deputy, which disabled the tractor-trailer,” Dowdle told reporters.
A witness’s cellphone video captured substantial damage to at least one cop vehicle. A second video showed the back of a tractor-trailer off the road.
A resident who only wished to be recognized as Joseph stated that he was inside his home when the wild situation ended.
“I heard something go through with a big bang,” Joseph added. “It didn’t hit my trailer, but it was about two feet from my trailer.”
State troopers encircled the irresponsible driver as he attempted to leap out of the truck and flee on foot. Dowdle stated that troopers arrested Gamble.
Gamble is currently being jailed at the Transylvania County Jail on a $300,000 secured bond.
