UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A suspect was arrested over the weekend after assaulting a deputy and fleeing from a traffic stop in Indian Trail.
A member of the Sheriff’s Office S.A.F.E. Unit initially observed a white Dodge Charger leaving a gas station at a high rate of speed and failing to maintain its lane.
During the stop, deputies identified the driver as James Hunt III and noticed signs of impairment and a strong odor of marijuana.
As deputies attempted to detain him, Hunt allegedly assaulted a deputy, reached for an AR pistol inside the vehicle, and sped away.
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Deputies and the Monroe Police Department later located the vehicle and initiated a brief pursuit before Hunt crashed and fled on foot while carrying a bag.
He was apprehended a short distance away without further incident. The vehicle caught fire after the crash and could not be extinguished by deputies.
Investigators said the bag Hunt was carrying contained a large amount of marijuana.
Hunt was taken to the Union County Detention Center and faces several charges, including driving while impaired, felony fleeing to elude, assault on a government official, resisting, delaying, and obstructing, felony carrying a concealed weapon, and felony possession of marijuana. He was issued no bond and remains in custody.
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