Man denied bond, charged with murder following deadly weekend chase

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The man accused of leading law enforcement on a fatal high-speed chase Sunday morning will continue to stay in jail under no bond.

Thomas Willoughby Jr. appeared in New Hanover County court Monday morning on a slew of charges including first-degree murder.

New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Lieutenant Jerry Brewer says deputies were responding to an armed robbery at the Porters Neck Walmart when they began chasing two suspects in a white car.

The chase led officers into the City of Wilmington, where the suspect’s car ran red lights and rammed a deputy’s vehicle before crashing into a Jeep Wrangler at the intersection of Wrightsville Avenue and Country Club Road.

Sean Evans (Photo: Linkedin)

According to WPD, 51-year-old Sean Alan Evans, of Raleigh, died at the scene after being thrown from his vehicle.

38-year-old Amy Miles, who was riding in the car with Willoughby, has been charged with aiding and abetting, DWI, and possession of drug paraphernalia.