The state Highway Patrol charged Raphael DeMichael Faulcon Jr. with careless and reckless driving after leading law enforcement on an 18-mile chase that began in Roanoke Rapids and ended on Roper Springs Road Tuesday.
“His actions were basically putting everyone in danger,” Trooper T.D. “Bo” Forsht said this afternoon. Forsht said the 19-year-old's alleged carelessness was also demonstrated when he circled his own driveway and struck Roanoke Rapids police Detective Bobby Martin's patrol car head-on. Martin, Forsht said, “Was trying to block his escape and protect the public. He headed back to the other driveway. He never slowed. He looked as if he was trying to escape when all he had to do was stop a long time ago. His actions of continuing to flee put him in a danger to himself and the officer.”
The head-on collision was a reportable crash as both vehicles sustained more than $1,000 in damages.
Forsht said Martin should be commended for his actions. “He probably prevented the chase from going on which could have resulted in an innocent party getting killed. All he had to do was stop.”
Faulcon's court date on the highway patrol charges is set in April.
Faulcon led officers down Old Farm Farm Road and then to Seventh Street. He then went through the downtown area and on to Thelma Road.