Dog killed when NC sheriff’s deputies crash into car during drug investigation

A small dog was killed Thursday when Durham County sheriff’s deputies struck a car while chasing a suspect in a drug trafficking case.

Members of the Sheriff’s Office Anti-Crime and Narcotics Unit were investigating heroin and fentanyl trafficking in the Interstate 85 and Guess Road area just after 1 p.m. when they approached the suspect, who had stopped at a store, according to a news release.

The suspect fled and the deputies, who were in an unmarked car, pursued the vehicle with their lights and siren on for about a mile when they hit a car at the intersection of Guess Road and Broad Street, the Sheriff’s Office stated.

The deputies stopped to help the driver, who had two small chihuahua or similar-type dogs in the car, according to a sheriff’s spokesperson.

“The driver was taken to a local hospital to be assessed for injury and unfortunately, one of the dogs died in the crash,” the release stated.

The Sheriff’s Office contacted the N.C. State Highway Patrol, which investigated the crash. No deputies were injured.

The suspect got away.

The News & Observer has asked the Highway Patrol. for more information, including the condition of the driver, and will update this story as more information becomes available.

This story was originally published June 2, 2023 at 8:08 AM with the headline "Dog killed when NC sheriff’s deputies crash into car during drug investigation."