Whiteville man charged with attempted murder after victim struck, trapped under vehicle

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Whiteville man is facing two attempted first-degree murder charges after authorities say a disturbance in Columbus County left one person trapped underneath a vehicle and critically injured.

According to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Sunday, Sept. 21, to a disturbance in the 3000 block of Thompson Town Road.

While deputies were responding, they received additional information that a person had been struck by a vehicle and remained trapped underneath it.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Chadbourn Fire and Rescue, Whiteville Rescue and AirLink also responded. Emergency crews were able to remove the victim from underneath the vehicle.

The victim suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a trauma facility, where the sheriff’s office said he remained in critical condition.

Detectives with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office began investigating with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Crime Scene Unit.

Authorities arrested 43-year-old Earl James Whitman Jr. of Whiteville.

According to a magistrate’s order, Whitman is accused of attempting to kill two people during the Sept. 21 incident.

The court document alleges Whitman assaulted one of the victims with a Chevrolet Cavalier, which authorities described in the charge as a deadly weapon. He is accused of doing so with the intent to kill and inflicting serious injury.

The magistrate’s order also accuses Whitman of damaging approximately $500 worth of livestock fencing belonging to another person.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office said Whitman was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and one count of damage to property.

Court records show Whitman is being held with bond not authorized.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains ongoing.