Stolen vehicle chase ends in crash near Kenansville

A multi-agency pursuit through Duplin County involving a stolen vehicle ended in a crash Thursday near Kenansville with the arrest of the suspect, identified as Edgar Gallagher III, 56, of Swansboro.

According to the Beulaville Police Department, the chase began shortly after an officer spotted a Chevrolet box truck speeding and illegally passing vehicles in the turning lane on West Main Street. When the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver refused to pull over, accelerating westbound onto East NC 24 Highway and reaching speeds of up to 90 mph.

The pursuit escalated, prompting assistance from the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and police departments from Kenansville and Rose Hill. 

Beulaville officials say Gallagher intentionally struck four law enforcement vehicles. He also damaged two buildings and several road signs before his truck collided with a State Highway Patrol cruiser in Kenansville. Sheriff Stratton Stokes was among the officers involved in the incident. The DCSO confirmed that no injuries were reported to any law enforcement personnel. 

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Kenansville office, Gallagher crashed into the NCSHP building in Kenansville before being apprehended.

“He did strike the front of our building and thankfully no one was injured,” NCSHP First Sergeant Jason Casteen told Duplin Journal. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Gallagher was driving under the influence. 

Gallagher is now facing more than 30 charges, including multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon on law enforcement officers, hit and run offenses, driving while impaired, felony flee to elude arrest, aggressive driving, resisting a public officer, and numerous traffic violations, including driving without a license and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. His total secured bond has been set at $1,107,500. He is currently being held in the Duplin County Jail.

Investigators confirmed the truck had been reported stolen earlier that day in Swansboro. Inside, officers recovered numerous pieces of lawn care equipment, which were also believed to be stolen.