Man charged after chase, near miss crash with deputy

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A man is facing several charges after reports of a reckless driver turned into a chase that almost injured a New Hanover County deputy twice.

Deputies said it all started Thursday night before 9:30 p.m. in the area of Wilmington Christian Academy and the Springview subdivision. After receiving calls of a reckless driver, deputies said they began following the driver on College Road then Murrayville Road. Deputies said the driver, Geoffrey Lynn Weatherwax Jr., 30, almost hit a deputy during the chase. The chase finally ended on Alamance Court when the deputy got out of his vehicle to try to talk to the suspect. At that time, deputies said Weatherwax reversed his car and accelerated toward the deputy. The deputy shot out a tire and was not hurt.

Weatherwax is facing charges including felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony speeding to elude. Deputies said he was taken to the hospital to have blood drawn for possible DWI charges, but he is now in jail under a $100,000 bond. More charges are expected, deputies said.

According to records, Weatherwax has numerous drug convictions in the state. He’s also facing assault charges in Craven County.