DURHAM -- Several people were injured and five vehicles, including a Durham police patrol car, were damaged Thursday afternoon after a Raleigh man crashed into several vehicles while trying to flee from a traffic stop, according to Durham police spokeswoman Kammie Michael.
Durham Police Officer Roy Green attempted to stop the driver of a 1996 Chevrolet pickup for a traffic violation on Guess Road around 12:45 p.m. The driver pulled into the parking lot of Hog Heaven on Guess Road, but sped away as Green got out of his patrol car and approached his truck.
The driver of the truck, Christopher R. Cyr, 20, of Galax Drive in Raleigh, turned onto the entrance ramp to Interstate 85 South and struck a Toyota Camry on the ramp, according to Michael.
An occupant of the Camry was treated for minor injuries.
Michael said Cyr was not being chased by police when the accident occurred.
Cyr kept going on I-85 South and got off at the Hillandale Road exit. He allegedly ran a red light at Hillandale Road and collided with a northbound 1999 Dodge work van driven by Matthew Furtick, 36, of Durham.
Furtick's van collided with a northbound 2001 Toyota Tacoma in the next lane and then rolled across the median and over the hood of a southbound Durham police car driven by Officer Brian Francis.
Cyr's truck then came to a stop in the northbound lanes of Hillandale Road.
Cyr, who suffered head injuries, was taken to Duke University Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Tacoma, David Donovan, 63, of Burlington, was also taken to Duke Hospital.
Furtick and Francis were treated for minor injuries. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
Cyr is facing charges of felony hit-and-run, felony fleeing to elude officers, careless and reckless driving, running a red light, driving without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Michael.
The Dodge van and the 1996 Chevrolet pickup truck sustained heavy damage. The 2009 Ford Crown Victoria patrol car driven by Francis sustained some $3,000 damage.
Hillandale Road was shut down for more than two hours after the incident.
