Suspect, victim identified in chase that ended in deadly crash

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A man is in custody after investigators say a motorcyclist was hit and killed by a car that was involved in a chase in Wilmington this morning.

Officials said the call came in around 7:20 a.m. in the area of Peachtree Avenue and S. College Road. Troopers said Eduardo Patrick, 26, failed to stop at a stoplight at Peachtree and hit Shaun Murdock, 38, on his motorcycle. Murdock was traveling on S. College Road when he was hit. Highway Patrol later arrested Patrick near Winter Park Elementary School. Troopers conducted a field sobriety test on Patrick at the scene and plan a “full battery of tests,” Pope said.

Troopers said the incident started this morning in Brunswick County when Patrick was speeding on U.S. 74. They said he was driving almost 80 miles per hour and would not stop. Troopers said they continued to pursue Patrick into New Hanover County. There’s no word on how fast Patrick was going at the time of the crash with Murdock.

Crews clean up scene of deadly crash on S. College Road near Peachtree Ave. on May 10, 2016. (Photo: FT Norton/StarNews)

We spoke on the phone with a witness who wanted to remain anonymous. He says it looked like a law enforcement vehicle was chasing after a small silver car, which was trying to avoid officers. The witness said the motorcycle hit the side of silver car and the driver went flying “like a rag-doll.”

The witness said the silver car kept driving and law enforcement followed the car. He tells us he went over to the motorcyclist who was lying face down and only had a very faint pulse when he checked.

“The motorcycle was mangled,” said the witness, who described the collision as sounding like an explosion. He added that after about 4-5 minutes, two troopers arrived and tried to perform CPR, but it was too late.

Patrick is facing charges including speeding, reckless driving, felony hit and run and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.