Carolina Beach man accused of leading police on chase, hitting police car, assaulting officers
CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A Carolina Beach man faces multiple charges after a police chase that spanned from Pleasure Island to Wilmington.
Briggs H. Smith, 39, is in the New Hanover County jail following his arrest on Monday night.
According to the Carolina Beach Police Department, it began with a reckless driving call in the area of Canal Drive, when a caller reported a driver almost hit their vehicle head on.
Officers found the vehicle and driver, identified as Smith, in the 300 block of Canal Drive. Police say there was a struggle and Smith drove off. While police pursued the driver, he allegedly tried to hit a police vehicle head on. At one point during the chase, Smith did hit a police car, according to a news release.
As the chase continued towards Snow’s Cut Bridge, Carolina Beach Police ended the chase and notified New Hanover County. The sheriff’s office reportedly saw the vehicle speeding down Carolina Beach Road.
Carolina Beach Police contacted the Wilmington Police Department about the driver’s possible location. Wilmington police responded and arrested Smith in the area of Nautilus Drive, which is a side street near Carolina Beach Road and Shipyard Boulevard. Wilmington police say during the arrest Smith assaulted arresting officers.
Smith faces the following charges from the Carolina Beach Police Department:
1 Count of Felony Flee to Elude Arrest
1 Count of Fugitive Order (Dauphin County, PA)
1 Count of Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government Official
1 Count of Hit and Run
1 Count of Reckless Driving
1 Count of Driving While License Revoked
1 Count of Resisting a Public Officer
In New Hanover County, Smith faces the following charges:
1 Count of Reckless Driving
2 Counts of Failure to Stop at a Red Light
1 Count of Driving Left of Center
In the City of Wilmington, Smith faces these charges:
2 Counts of Malicious Conduct by a Prisoner
1 Count of Assault on a Government Official
2 Counts of Resisting a Public Officer
1 Count of Simple Possession of Schedule VI
2 Counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
1 Count of Open Container of Alcohol
Briggs Smith was taken in front of a New Hanover County Magistrate and was placed on a No-Bond hold pending extradition and additional bond for local charges.
