Suspect arrested after high-speed chase through Charlotte, Rowan County

CHARLOTTE — The driver of a speeding SUV is in custody after a multi-county chase that ended in Rowan County Wednesday.

Law enforcement surrounded the vehicle and arrested the suspect just after noon in a Lowe’s parking lot on Innes Street in Salisbury.

Suspect arrested after high-speed chase through Mecklenburg, Rowan counties

“I just seen them speeding down the highway and then they just blocked him off,” said witness Latrece Withers, who was at Lowe’s.

The driver was identified as 31-year-old Hadari Williams of Charlotte. Officials say Williams was driving 103 mph on a 70 mph stretch of road, prompting the nearly 40-mile pursuit.

“That’s dangerous on both ends,” said another witness, Dale Boone. “It endangers the public and it endangers the officers. It endangers everybody.”

Chopper 9 Skyzoom spotted the driver speeding in a white SUV through Charlotte around 11 a.m. and began following the suspect on I-485 in northeast Charlotte.

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The driver was spotted running red lights, driving on the wrong side of the road and weaving in and out of traffic.

At one point, the suspect nearly hit a construction worker blocking a lane near Plaza Midwood.

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After driving through Plaza Midwood in east Charlotte, the suspect merged onto Independence Boulevard and toward Interstate 85.

The suspect led police on a high-speed chase across county lines before troopers closed in on the driver near Dale Earnhardt Boulevard.

During the quick-paced chase, a state trooper crashed into another vehicle.

“You put the public at risk anytime something like this happens,” said Trooper White Efird. “It is unfortunate. The good thing is that we have him in custody and all the officers are safe at this point.”

According to court records obtained by Channel 9, Williams has been involved in similar incidents in the past. In 2020, he was charged with felony hit and run and felony eluding in Strasburg, Virginia.

Records also show Williams has pending charges in Cabarrus County for driving without a license.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

VIDEO: Multi-county police chase ends in north Charlotte; suspect in custody