Police car smashed as man tries to elude
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on March 16, 2008 2:02 AM
An elderly man involved in a car accident took a vehicle by knifepoint and led police on a chase before crashing into an occupied police cruiser, a church's brick column, trees, a clothesline and another car, Goldsboro police said.
Police said they had not compiled charges against Jesse Hughes, 76, South Best Street, because of ongoing investigation into the 3:20 p.m. Friday incident.
Hughes' troubles started with his accident at the intersection of John Street and Bunche Drive, police said.
Acquaintances of Hughes had stopped to help him after his accident when Hughes brandished a knife and forced the acquaintances out of a 2008 Ford Expedition, police said.
After getting control of the Expedition, Hughes drove away, police said.
An officer attempted to stop the Expedition on John Street, police said, but Hughes began driving erratically and attempted to elude arrest.
Hughes then crossed over Arrington Bridge Road during the chase and into the backyard of a residence, where he struck trees and a clothesline and then a brick column at Fellowship Baptist Church, police said.
He then drove out of the field, striking an occupied Goldsboro police Dodge Charger sitting stationary in the driveway of Fellowship Baptist Church, police said.
But police say striking the police vehicle was not enough to stop the 76-year-old.
Hughes then headed east on Arrington Bridge Road before striking another vehicle near the intersection of Pecan Road, police said.
That caused Hughes to finally lose control of the vehicle, and he was taken into custody without incident by Goldsboro police and Wayne County Sheriff's deputies, authorities said.
Hughes was involuntarily committed to Cherry Hospital that night, police said.