Woman hurt when leaving car during high speed chase

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A woman is in the hospital and a man is behind bars, set to appear before a judge Wednesday morning after North Carolina state troopers said a chase led to a serious crash on Brookshire Boulevard Tuesday evening.

Chopper 9 flew over the scene where dozens of N.C. Highway Patrol troopers investigated the crash.

Troopers said the crash on Brookshire Boulevard started as a chase on Interstate 85 near Little Rock Road with a black Mazda.

(IMAGES: Chase from Chopper 9)

Troopers said they were trying to pull over the stolen car for speeding.

The driver, who was impaired, according to officials, took off and got onto Interstate 485 and then got off on W.T. Harris Boulevard.

Troopers clocked the Mazda going 130 mph in a 65 mph zone on I-85.

At one point, troopers said the driver slowed down on I-85 and a woman jumped out of the car while it was traveling at about 20 to 25 mph. She was struck by the same car she jumped from, according to authorities.

The driver, who troopers identified as Willie Wright, got back onto I-485 and then exited off Brookshire Boulevard where the crash occurred. The car hit a telephone pole and a fire hydrant.

"I was sitting at my desk and it sounded like a bomb went off," one witness said.

Another bystander said, "I saw the cops had him on the ground. One standing over him."

The chase lasted for more than 20 miles before the crash.

The woman who jumped from the car was listed in critical condition Tuesday night at Carolinas Medical Center. He name has not been released.

Wright was taken to the hospital then brought to jail.

Wright was charged with felony speed to elude, felony hit-and-run serious injury, possession of a stolen car, speeding 130 in a 65 mph zone and several other misdemeanor charges and infractions.

Sign up for breaking news alerts, click here.

To see more Chopper video and slideshows, click here.

WSOC